The HDP Imrali delegation and representatives of the AKP government have held a joint press conference on the process of resolution.

The HDP Imrali delegation, that a few days ago met KCK executives in Kandil, comprising deputies Pervin Buldan, İdris Baluken and Sırrı Süreyya Önder today met Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan and Interior Minister Efkan Ala. Following the meeting a joint press conference was held.

A statement was read out by Sırrı Süreyya Önder.

'The problem concerns the transformation of the state’

The statement was as follows:

"We are on the verge of an historic decision process. Since the beginning of the process the problem has concerned the transformation of the state. The existing dominant state mentality has always seen this question solely as a means of maintaining power, which has led to it being the victim of violence. Unless strong ties are established with peace and universal democracy we cannot expect rights, justice and equality from the state and society. The process will develop with the recognition of all the communities that have been ostracised throughout the history of the republic.”

'The process has reached a serious stage’

“The great responsibility for this question put on our shoulders by history is one that does not just concern our own society, but affects the whole region and even the world. While the century-old equilibrium in the region is being overwhelmed and violence spirals, it is important that perceptions and approaches are developed on the basis of universal human values. There is a need for a dynamic approach given conditions in the region. In the light of this the occasionally faltering process of dialogue has now reached a formal, responsible and serious stage.”

Önder explained Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan's view on the stage reached in the process thus:

Öcalan calls on PKK to hold congress

"While taking the 30-year period of conflict to a lasting peace our principal aim has been to reach a democratic resolution. I call on the PKK to hold an extraordinary congress in the spring months to take a strategic and historic decision to abandon the armed struggle based on a minimum consensus of principles. This invitation is a historic declaration of the intention to replace the armed struggle with democratic politics.

These are the headings which will constitute the backbone of both our real democracy and our great peace:

- Democratic politics, its definition and content

- Democratic resolution and the recognition of the national and local dimensions of resolution

- Legal and democratic guarantees of free citizenship

- Headings regarding the relationship of democratic politics to state and society and the institutionalisation of this

- The socio-economic dimensions of the resolution process

- Treating the relationship between democracy and security in the process in a way that will protect public order and freedoms

- Legal solutions and guarantees for problems of women, culture and ecology

- Development of a pluralistic understanding of the concept of identity, its definition and recognition

- The recognition of a democratic republic, common homeland and people with democratic criteria, within a pluralist democratic system with legal and constitutional guarantees.

- A new constitution for the purpose of internalising all this democratic transformation."

Call for support

Önder said the following at the conclusion of his speech: "There is no doubt that in order for these historic developments to become reality there must be no conflict. We, as the HDP, call on all democratic circles and those who are in favour of peace to support these democratic negotiations and the stage of resolution. We salute all those forces that are working hard for peace, which is now closer than ever.”

Akdoğan: we consider this to be an important statement

Akdoğan said: "We know that in the process of resolution we will achieve an outcome through sincerity, bravery and decisiveness. We consider this statement highlighting democratic politics as a method and the move towards the giving up of arms and the complete ending of actions to be significant. With arms out of the equation democratic development will gain momentum. Ideas and policies with public support gain value in democracies. We are determined to reach an ultimate solution with the blessing and support of our people. We see a new constitution as an important opportunity to resolve many long-standing and chronic problems.”