HDP (Peoples' Democratic Party) delegation for İmralı has held a press conference at the Turkish parliament about the current situation in the ongoing process of resolution between the Turkish government and the Kurdish liberation movement.

The delegation, made up of HDP Group Deputy Chairs Pervin Buldan and İdris Baluken and Istanbul MP Sırrı Süreya Önder, stated that agreement has been reached with the government board of resolution on some certain points, and that visits and talks on İmralı Island will continue.

Making a statement on behalf of the delegation, Buldan informed that they applied to the Ministry of Justice for a visit to İmralı Island last week, and are closely following the statements and evaluations from the government's side during the last one week, and also reminding often of their demand for the İmralı meeting to take place as soon as possible.

Buldan underlined that; "First of all, our application to the Ministry of Justice is a sincere expression of will manifested by our party and delegation in order to maintain its historic role in the process of democratic resolution and peace. It is also the most explicit presentation of our determination in order for the peace process to continue despite all the tensions and troubles. Our demand for a visit to İmralı is a part of our efforts to keep the ways of political negotiation open under any circumstances, and is a necessity of our trust in the right to peace and responsibility for the process of resolution."

Buldan pointed out that the obstruction of the delegation from access to İmralı would mean the ending of the process of dialog with Öcalan, adding; "We have clearly declared in an official application that we as the HDP delegation are ready to play our role in order to prevent the emergence of such a consequence. The insistence we make with goodwill and sincere effort however fails to be adequately understood by the government and its authorities. Threats against our party and delegation, intervention and a language of deadlock has been the government's response to the HDP delegation's insistence on peace as a part of its responsibility towards the peoples."

Buldan emphasised that the government's language of deadlock and its insensitive approach leads to a waste of time while even every single second passing is substantial for the process of resolution. She emphasised that; "What needs to be done is to open the interrupted ways of dialog as soon as possible, and to take concrete steps serving the mechanisms to lead to ongoing process to negotiations. Approaches and discourses evoking a domination on our party and delegation should also be abandoned immediately."

Buldan also remarked that it is not possible to come up with a right conclusion over a wrong debate which -she said- was to make an effort to create a perception which holds the HDP responsible for the disturbance of the peace and for the emergence of an environment of violence and conflict in the country.

Buldan pointed out that building a completely democratic order based on peace was the only way to eliminate the present conflict environment and to ensure public peace.

Buldan suggested that government authorities should also avoid degrading the whole issue to İmralı talks, adding; "What really matters is to ensure that Mr. Öcalan can comfortably fulfill his historic role with the beginning of the talks."

Buldan said a mutual declaration of intention took place in order for the resumption of the dialog process as of yesterday following talks with authorities from the board of resolution formed by the government.

She highlighted the following points to be pursued in order for a healthy progress of the process;

- Sides should improve a language contributing to the process, not conflict

- Creating false agendas over İmralı talks should be avoided

- The government should avoid making the delegation and İmralı talks a matter of debate in any case of a deadlock.

Buldan added that they also declared stance by the will for peace they have manifested at the cost of heavy prices for years, without ever forgetting about their historic responsibility in this critical process.

Buldan stressed that their call and manifestation of will for peace should be considered as the greatest assurance for peace and democracy, and must be evaluated in line with an appropriate attitude and language, especially by the state and government officials, the Prime Minister being in the first place.

Following Buldan's statement, Öncer and Baluken answered the questions directed by reporters.