The DEM Party Imralı Delegation made the following statement regarding its meeting with Abdullah Öcalan:
“On March 27, 2026, within the scope of our ongoing talks with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, we held a meeting on Imralı Island.
During the discussions, it became clearly evident that the process has reached an important threshold. At this point, it has been emphasized that the path to a solution is a multilayered issue that must be evaluated together with its dimensions of negotiation, democratic will, and historical responsibility.
The historic duty and responsibility undertaken by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in this process were highlighted; it was stated that, following the commission report, the work to be carried out should be provided with an inclusive and comprehensive legal framework without being spread over time, which is of vital importance.
In our assessments as a delegation, a common view emerged that keeping dialogue channels open and strengthening democratic politics are necessary in order not to miss historical opportunities and for the genuine will for a solution to take shape.
It was once again emphasized that a democratic society is the guarantee of the future for all peoples and beliefs living in Turkey. We believe that everyone who understands this process correctly and approaches it with responsibility will gain not only the present but also our common future.
Mr. Öcalan’s evaluation during the meeting can be summarized as follows:
“The major problem we are trying to resolve should not be approached in a narrow way. There are deep hegemonic plans for the Middle East. While certain positive developments have occurred alongside painful situations in Syria, now the Iran war is also on the agenda. Three lines have emerged in the Iran war: the first is the U.S.–Israel line; the second is the line led by the United Kingdom and certain international and regional forces aimed at preserving the status quo; and the third is the line of democracy and coexistence that we defend through the Peace and Democratic Society Process we have developed. Developments in Iran have once again demonstrated the legitimacy and importance of the process being carried out in Turkey.
-We base our approach on a solution centered on the Anatolia–Mesopotamia axis. The relationship between Anatolia and Mesopotamia has deep historical roots. The first great peace treaty in history was the Treaty of Kadesh between the Hittites and the Egyptians. Four thousand years of political history in the Middle East has shown that the security of Anatolia passes through the Middle East and Mesopotamia. Democratic integration expresses the participation of Mesopotamian culture as a democratic entity.
-We have no problem with the Republic. The real issue is that the Republic is not democratic. Democracy is the only solution that will strengthen the Republic.
-Voicing the mistakes, excesses, and anti-democratic practices of societies and countries during their historical periods should not be seen as something strange, as if touching something sacred. It must be said that defending assimilation methods with a positivist belief is like forcing the country into a narrow allway.
-As I stated in my call on February 27, the period of armed struggle has ended. There is no longer any possibility of turning back. The process we are experiencing is a transition toward peace with the Democratic Republic. When the desired process succeeds, the Republic will become twice as strong. What we call a democratic society is largely based on such a solution. We must develop an understanding of communitarianism and citizenship that regulates the relationship of the Kurds with the state in a positive way. The state must also see that there is no destructive activity or security threat here.
-Participation in the Republic should be with identity, freedom of expression and thought, freedom of organization, and women’s freedom. These are fields of freedom valid not only for Kurds but for everyone.
-At this point, I consider it important to reach the entire public through appropriate channels so that my ideas regarding the process are correctly understood.
-The democratic integration solution is based on a society-centered approach. A society-based solution requires the holistic and collective democratization of social structures.”
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