Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş made statements regarding the peace process at the 28th Term 3rd Legislative Year Evaluation Meeting.
“We must act quickly,” said Kurtulmuş, arguing that the process is being conducted with respect for both the rights and dignity of the Kurds and the sensitivities of the Turks.
“On the one hand, you will take into account the rights and dignity of the Kurds, and on the other hand, you will take into account the sensitivities and pride of the Turks, who constitute the vast majority of Turkey. Therefore, this has been achieved so far by maintaining this balance,” he stated.
Referring to Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s calls, Kurtulmuş said that the PKK’s burning of weapons and dissolution would accelerate the process. When asked by journalists if the commission would meet with Öcalan, he replied, “It has not yet been discussed.”
“If this issue is brought onto the agenda, the commission will make a decision. Decisions are made by a qualified majority. It is not a matter of me making a decision. From the outset, everything is happening in public within the framework of the decision we make unanimously.”
Stating that the commission’s role is not to legislate but to monitor the process and provide a framework, Kurtulmuş announced that the head of the National Intelligence Agency (MİT) and ministers would attend the final hearing.
Kurtulmuş said, “This is not a commission that will draft any laws. The main duty of this commission is to monitor and control the successful completion of the process, to take the lead here, and ultimately to create a framework, meaning that legal regulations are needed in these steps. We will present a main framework to the Assembly, saying that certain steps need to be taken here.”
“This is the commission’s duty,” Kurtulmuş went on to say: “If all the parties here agree and establish a main framework, which I hope will be the case, then passing legislation on any issue will be exceptionally easy. The relevant laws will be passed in a very short time.”
Referring to the discussions on a new constitution, the Speaker of Parliament stated that the current constitution does not meet Turkey’s needs and that the renewal of the constitution and related laws is “essential.”
Remarking that their goal is to raise democratic standards and strengthen the unity between the state and the nation, Kurtulmuş said, “I know that not only the AK Party but also other parties are continuing their work on this issue. Hopefully, an atmosphere similar to that of this commission will be created, and Turkey will begin the process of drafting a new constitution as soon as possible.”