The Peoples’ Democracy and Equality Party (DEM Party) İmralı Delegation met with Selahattin Demirtaş, former co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), and Adnan Selçuk Mızraklı, former co-mayor of Amed (Diyarbakır) Metropolitan Municipality in Edirne F Type Prison today.

The delegation consisting of Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan and Ahmet Türk spoke to the press after the meeting, stating the following:

Sırrı Süreyya Önder: “We saw that their health and morale were very good. This was the most important thing for us. They asked us to convey their full contribution and support to the developing process. We have only one thing to say. There is speculation and criticism that the process is not transparent. There is no need for this approach which does not serve the peace to be made. This is an issue that has continued for 40 years. We are trying to ensure the widest possible participation for qualified labour and effort. In this sense, there is nothing that would give rise to suspicions about the process. If we solve it now, we will do it with two parties. If we miss this opportunity, 72 parties will be involved.

Our delegation, our party, our friends, intellectuals and artists, all our brothers and sisters who support the process, have met for the first time on such a broad common ground for all political views. Tomorrow, after visiting Figen Yüksekdağ and other friends, we will make a detailed statement in Ankara. As a delegation, we thank you for waiting this long. Peace has no losers. We should never forget this. Everyone wins, there are no losers. In this sense, peace is a precious thing. In the public opinion, the concepts of solution and peace are often confused with each other. This is not true. Peace is something to be created with a hug. The solution is a democratic struggle and long-term work. Its length and depth vary depending on the issue areas. What we are trying to establish now is peace. We expect support from everyone for this. We say with an open heart that there will be nothing that we hide from the public. You know us, we are travelling with our hearts in our hands for peace. We find everyone's support, contribution, suggestions and criticism valuable. Thank you again.”

Asked if the date of the second meeting in İmralı has been set, Önder said, “It is not certain yet, but we do not think it will take too long. Let us convey the greetings of Demirtaş and Mızraklı again.”

Ahmet Türk: I would like to say a few words. The point in question is a thousand years of Turkish and Kurdish brotherhood, there is an ancient past. We have witnessed a deterioration in the last century. Our aim is for the two peoples who have lived together for thousands of years to embrace each other again and for the ancient friendship to be fulfilled again. We endeavour for peace. I believe and hope that Kurds need Turks and Turks need Kurds in Turkey. We will actually achieve peace. We want Turkey to reach a point where it can export democracy in the Middle East. Our aim is the brotherhood and friendship of our peoples. We want our peoples to be together democratically and freely.”

Pervin Buldan: “We visited Mr Demirtaş and Mızraklı. We ended the visit with great morale. Demirtaş and Mızraklı's evaluations on this process are very clear. They stated that they would stand behind this process under all circumstances and conditions. This is very valuable to us and the process we are conducting. On behalf of our delegation, we thank both Mr Demirtaş and Mr Mızraklı. We have no doubt that this process will evolve into a peace process with the support of all of us.”