Speaking at the traditional solidarity dinner organized by Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Diyarbakır provincial organization on Wednesday, BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş called on the AKP government to release Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan and to accept Kurds will implement democratic autonomy.

Demirtaş called attention to the importance of solidarity with Kurds who -he underlined- are going through a process on a knife-edge as the Kurdish people are on the verge of determining their fate and future. "Anything we do and say these days will be a matter of concern for our children and grandchildren as well”, he added. 

Referring to recently started talks with the Kurdish leader in İmralı, Demirtaş evaluated the talks as an important step and criticized government authorities for making provocative statements. “It is quite easy to end efforts for peace but the difficult thing is to ensure mutual trust and a permanent peace. True steps need to be taken to make sure the ongoing process is not wasted. We have been patient since the very beginning and we will continue to be patient as a people appreciating peace.”

Demirtaş pointed out that both the BDP and the DTK (Democratic Society Congress) should take an active part in the process leading to negotiations. We are ready to provide our contribution, he said and continued addressing the government; “Now that you are saying that you represent Kurds and protect them more than the BDP, then you should fulfil their demands by releasing their leader and providing them with mother-tongue education and democratic autonomy.”

BDP co-chair also criticized the government for intending to represent both the Turkish state and the Kurds at the table of negotiations. “This is contrary to the spirit of negotiations”, he underlined and noted that “Talks with the Kurdish leader are going on but negotiations haven't started yet. We want the process of negotiation to start soon to make sure that the bloodshed stops and problems can be solved through dialogue.” 

The BDP co-chair underlined that the government shouldn't miss the opportunity as the Kurds and 80 percent of Turkey's population want a just and lasting peace.