A press conference was held during the European Parliament (EP) plenary session to address Abdullah Öcalan’s call for Peace and a Democratic Society.

The press conference, titled "After Mr. Öcalan’s Call: Peace and Democratic Resolution to the Kurdish Issue in Turkey" was organized by the European Parliament’s Kurdish Friendship Group. Participants included Per Clausen from The Left Group, Andreas Schieder from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Leoluca Orlando from the Greens Group, Evin Incir from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, and Fayik Yağızay, the representative to the Council of Europe for the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party).

The press conference highlighted that Abdullah Öcalan’s call offers an opportunity to resolve the Kurdish issue through peace and a democratic framework. Speakers emphasized that transforming this call into a peace process depends on positive steps taken by Turkey and other states. It was underlined that the call offers a chance for peace, democratic progress in Turkey, and the Kurdish people’s right to self-governance. Additionally, Öcalan’s leadership role was recognized as crucial to the process.

Schieder: An unmissable opportunity for Turkey and the region

Andreas Schieder from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats stated that Öcalan’s call represents a significant opportunity for Turkey and the region.  Schieder said: "This call is a unique opportunity for peace, democracy, and the Kurdish people’s right to self-governance. Turkey must respond to this call in a profound and decisive manner."

He emphasized that the situation of the Kurdish people in Syria, Iraq, and Turkey is directly linked to this call, and added: "As members of the European Parliament, we must exert pressure on the Turkish state and its officials to take steps toward peace. This is an unmissable chance for a peaceful future and the initiation of a peace process."

Clausen: No peace without justice

Per Clausen from The Left Group emphasized that the decades-long conflict must come to an end, and added: "A true peace is one where human rights are not denied. There can be no peace without justice."

Clausen stressed the need to halt political chaos and military operations in the Middle East. He added: "Achieving peace in Turkey and Syria is of great importance for the entire region. We cannot speak of real peace unless the rights of oppressed peoples are recognized. Mr. Öcalan’s call presents a historic opportunity for democracy and peace." He also highlighted that ethnic groups and diverse political voices must be able to express themselves freely, without fear or repression.

Orlando: Time for change in Turkey

Leoluca Orlando from the Greens Group drew attention to the Kurdish people's struggle. He stated: "With Öcalan’s call, the path to peace in Turkey has been opened. Now, we are waiting for the Turkish state to say either ‘yes’ or ‘no’."

Orlando stated that as a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member, Turkey must respect human rights,  and added: "Turkey, which claims to be a NATO country and a friend of the West, must face reality. We will submit a parliamentary question to the Council of Europe, urging them to support this process."

He stressed that the process of change has begun and that this opportunity must not be missed.

Evin Incir: Turkey must seize this opportunity

Evin Incir from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats stated that Mr. Öcalan’s call presents a significant opportunity for Turkey. She concluded: "The Turkish state must recognize oppressed peoples and ethnic groups within a democratic framework. This is an opportunity for Turkey to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and international law."

Recalling Turkey’s long history of refusing to acknowledge ethnic groups, Incir added: "Now, more than ever, the Turkish state has a historic opportunity to recognize oppressed peoples and ethnic communities within a democratic framework."

Incir also highlighted that this issue has long been a subject of discussion within both the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, noting: "Turkey’s European Union accession process has now reached a stage where it can be debated more deeply in light of this opportunity. For the Kurdish people, this is a unique opportunity to live in their ancestral lands, where their parents and grandparents were born and raised, with their own culture and language. The Turkish state must acknowledge and act on this opportunity."