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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with a delegation from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on Monday afternoon at the presidential complex in Ankara, marking what officials described as a "historic" step in ongoing peace efforts.
The meeting, which lasted one hour and began at 3:00 p.m. local time, included ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin.
Officials said discussions focused on efforts to achieve a "Terror-Free Türkiye."
The meeting comes as part of a broader process aimed at convincing the PKK terrorist group to lay down arms, with preparations reportedly completed for the militant group to disarm by autumn under Turkish Intelligence supervision.
Before Monday's presidential meeting, the DEM Party delegation visited Abdullah Ocalan, ringleader of the PKK terrorist group, at Imrali prison. The delegation described their two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Ocalan as "highly productive," saying he appeared to be in good health and spirits.
"Ocalan emphasized that the process is entering a new phase," the delegation said in a statement, emphasizing the ringleader's comments.
"He expressed that with new steps to be taken, responsibilities fall on everyone, all of us, regarding fulfilling the requirements of the process."
The DEM Party delegation characterized their upcoming meeting with Erdogan as having "historical significance" and said a parliamentary commission to be established would "play a major role in the direction of peace and resolution."
The delegation expressed optimism about the process, stating their "hope, confidence, and belief" in its contribution to Türkiye's democratization efforts was "extremely strong."
The meeting took place against the backdrop of tragedy, as 12 Turkish soldiers died from methane gas poisoning on the same day.
The DEM Party delegation said news of the soldiers' deaths was received during their prison visit and caused "deep sorrow" for both Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK terrorist group responsible for a Turkish soldier's death, and the 12 Turkish soldiers who died from methane gas poisoning while searching for his body.
"We pray for God's mercy for those who lost their lives and extend our condolences to their families and loved ones," the delegation said.
The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984.
Previous peace efforts have faltered, but the current initiative appears to represent the most significant diplomatic engagement in years.
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