The DTK co-presidents said: "The draft submitted by Mr Öcalan containing 10 articles creates a new opportunity, and also takes the process of resolution to a critical and important stage.”  

The Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-presidents Selma Irmak and Hatip Dicle have issued a statement regarding the talks that took place between the AKP government and the Imrali delegation in the Dolmabahçe Palace. Irmak and Dicle recalled that the historic call for a democratic peaceful solution to the Kurdish question made by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan in 2013 had created a historic opportunity, adding that the PKK’s ceasefire had laid the ground for a solution and raised hopes of a solution.

The statement drew attention to the potential for provocations, adding that the ‘Internal Security Package’ currently being debated in parliament could cause problems. The statement called on the government to take seriously the declarations made by the KCK and to initiate the necessary legal work without delay. “As the DTK we wish to make clear that we will offer our full support to all efforts to achieve a solution,” the statement stressed.

‘The necessary steps should be taken immediately’

The DTK co-presidents’ statement emphasised the importance of steps being taken immediately, as public opinion awaited such steps, especially given recent fragilities and developments in the Middle East. Irmak and Dicle concluded their statement by saying: “We call for the ‘Internal Security’ bill to be withdrawn as a first step to meeting the requirements of the draft text submitted by Mr Öcalan. We reiterate that as the DTK we will do our utmost to ensure the success of the process, and call on all our people and progressive democrats to take ownership of this draft text with 10 articles.”