Erdogan speaks on 'Terror-Free Turkey' process: We took all necessary risks

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ANKARA, TURKEY — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the government has taken all necessary risks for the "Terror-Free Turkey" process, emphasizing that the parliament will now assume the leading role in its upcoming new phase. Speaking at the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) group meeting on Wednesday, Erdogan praised the progress made over the past 16 months in what he described as a state project, addressed debates sparked by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli regarding the legal status of the PKK's founder, and criticized opposition speculation over the commission's recent report.

A new phase led by the Parliament

During his comprehensive address, Erdogan underlined that the process is moving into a "new phase" following the efforts of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission operating within the parliament. In this new chapter, the parliament is expected to act as the primary driving force, taking a "locomotive role" to achieve the government's objectives. Erdogan clearly defined the ultimate goal of these efforts as "first a Terror-Free Turkey, then a Terror-Free region".

Describing the "Terror-Free Turkey" initiative—which the People's Alliance launched last year—as a profound "state project," the President noted that significant strides have been made. "In the 16-month timeframe, considerable distances have been covered, and promising developments have been experienced," he stated, claiming political and institutional ownership of the ongoing process. A major milestone in this trajectory is the final report completed by the parliamentary commission, which has been conducting its work since August 5. The report was officially accepted by the commission on Wednesday, February 18, with 47 votes in favor, two against, and one abstention. Erdogan defended the stance of the AK Party and the People's Alliance throughout this period, asserting that the ruling bloc has maintained a constructive and compromise-oriented attitude since day one, which successfully continued during the report phase.

Responses to Bahceli's 'status' remarks

The parliamentary meeting also served as a platform for Erdogan to indirectly address recent controversial remarks made by his alliance partner. As he was leaving the hall after his speech, a journalist asked Erdogan about MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli's recent statements questioning how the "status problem of the PKK's founding leadership" would be handled. Erdogan briefly responded by pointing to the relevant state institution, stating, "Imrali is currently being advanced as necessary by our Ministry of Justice".

This brief response came after Bahceli brought the issue to the forefront during his own party's parliamentary group meeting on February 24. Referencing a "call to lay down arms" supposedly made by the imprisoned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan on February 27, 2025, Bahceli had demanded clarity on Ocalan's legal status. Bahceli asked, "Since the February 27 call is a democratic threshold that supports and encourages peaceful quests; then how will the status problem of the PKK's founding leadership be handled for the realization of the planned breakthroughs and regulations hereafter?". He further urged that the "status deficit of Imrali," which he claimed serves a terror-free Turkey, needs to be closed and called for a swift resolution to the debate.

Criticism of speculation and DEM Party's dissenting opinion

Erdogan also took the opportunity to criticize those who scrutinize the commission's report—which he dubbed a "historical document"—to generate political controversy. "It is obvious that those who are eager to speculate by extracting words from the report with tweezers do not serve the safety of the process," the President warned. However, he found solace in the fact that those attempting to overshadow the process remain in the minority, asserting that the vast majority of the nation fully embraces the goal of a terror-free region.

Despite voting in favor of the commission's report, the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) published a comprehensive dissenting opinion rather than rejecting the document outright. Through this dissenting note, the DEM Party categorically rejected the "terror"-centric definitions used in the joint report draft. The party argued that the issue at hand is not a security problem, but rather a political issue rooted in identity, rights, and freedoms. Consequently, they emphasized that the solution should be built on democratization, native language rights, and an inclusive discourse, rather than regulations solely following disarmament.

In its five-chapter dissenting text released on the day the report was accepted, the DEM Party stated, "We do not find the use of concepts such as the Terror-Free Turkey process, terrorist organization, and the scourge of terrorism appropriate". Objecting to the naming of the initiative, the party noted, "It is not right to express the name of the process as 'Terror-Free Turkey'. As the DEM Party, we define the current process as the 'Peace and Democratic Society Process', naming it after the call made by Mr. Abdullah Ocalan on February 27, 2025". Alternatively, they suggested using the commission's actual name, "National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy," as a more inclusive term.

The DEM Party's statement further elaborated: "The Kurdish issue exists and cannot be seen as a terror problem. It is not a one-dimensional problem in terms of its root causes; it is a rights and freedoms issue with a political, social, economic, cultural, and historical background. What is persistently described as 'terror' today is a conflictual process created by denial-based policies". This profound disagreement highlights a fundamental divide between the People's Alliance's solution model, which progresses from security to law, and the DEM Party's approach, which moves from democratization to non-conflict.

Enhancing internal harmony within the alliance

In the concluding segment of his speech, Erdogan delivered clear messages regarding the future trajectory of this political endeavor. "Now the new phase of this process will begin, and the responsibility of our party and our alliance will increase a little more," he noted, signaling that the completion of the commission's report is a new beginning rather than an endpoint.

Highlighting the necessity for enhanced coordination, Erdogan stressed that internal harmony within the ruling bloc will become even more critical. "As the AK Party and the People's Alliance, we are entering a period where we must maximize our solidarity, coordination, and cooperation," he declared. The President concluded by redefining the ultimate ambition of the initiative: "By managing the new phase of the process with calmness and tranquility, we will achieve our goal of first a Terror-Free Turkey, then a 'Terror-Free Region'".

www.wisenewspress.com