Turkey is passing through an important turning point in history. Following the meeting with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on December 28, 2024, the contacts made by the İmralı Delegation and the statements that followed have set the agenda of the country. The delegation's visits to the political parties represented in the Parliament and the comprehensive message it shared with the public created a wave of excitement and hope in the society. This statement is interpreted not only as a political development but also as the expression of a social expectation.

 

Especially the emphasis on “hope” in the statements of Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan, members of the İmralı delegation, offers important clues in terms of understanding the nature and spirit of the process. Moreover, the delegation's positive impressions from the meetings with political parties have given the society a breath of fresh air. But it is clear that this process requires a realistic sense of responsibility as well as hope.

 

FOUR MAIN HEADINGS 

 

The four main headings in the statement of the İmralı delegation reveal the focus of the talks and why the process is important.

 

The desire to find a permanent solution to the Kurdish issue and the conflict process: This shows the will to resolve through dialogue and negotiation an issue that is seen as Turkey's bleeding wound. The use of politics instead of violence has long been expected by a large section of society.

 

Strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood: Emphasizing the common history of the Kurdish-Turkish people, who have lived together for centuries, stands out as one of the cornerstones of social peace.

 

Responsibility imposed by the changes in the Middle East: Turkey is also affected by the rapidly changing political balances in the region. In this context, the solution of the Kurdish issue is considered not only a domestic issue but also a regional necessity.

 

Democratic politics being the solution ground: It is clearly stated that the parliament and democratic mechanisms should play a central role in the solution of the problem. This indicates that the involvement of institutions that reflect the will of the people will increase confidence in the process.

 

HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY 

 

The İmralı delegation also evaluated the talks with political parties and stated that these contacts were sincere, constructive and promising. The concerns and suggestions expressed during the talks once again reveal the sensitivity and multidimensional nature of the process. However, what is also noteworthy is the common will of all parties to put the conflict behind them. This is a historic opportunity for Turkey.

 

THREE IMPRESSIONS OF THE DELEGATION 

 

The delegation's three main impressions also summarize how the process is likely to be received by society.

 

The will to leave the conflict process behind: Although political parties have different ideological approaches, they share this common goal.

 

Emphasis on unity and brotherhood: The idea that differences should be seen as a richness is now universally accepted.

 

Democratization and expanding political space: Perceiving the peace process not only as an effort to end the conflict, but also as a general democratization move.

 

THE DANGER IN 'LANGUAGE' 

 

Although the process is promising, the warnings of the İmralı delegation should not be ignored. Especially divisive, prejudiced and speculative discourses that insist on the language of war, far from the language of peace, brotherhood and solution, risk undermining this sensitive process. The delegation points out that approaches that “push the moral boundaries” and offend the parties will jeopardize peace efforts. Indeed, such discourse not only deepens polarization in society, but also undermines the legitimacy of the process.

 

KEY CONCEPTS

 

The delegation points out that this process can succeed not only with the support of political actors, but also with the support of all segments of society, and that transparency, honesty and dialogue should be the key concepts of this journey. The transparent contacts carried out by the İmralı Delegation and the messages of support from different segments of society are very important in this respect. However, it is important that the steps to be taken in the coming period should be of a nature to reinforce this environment of trust.

 

EYES ON THE SECOND MEETING

 

Turkey stands at a historical threshold. This threshold offers not only an opportunity to get rid of the burdens of the past, but also an opportunity for the construction of the future. The intense interest in the second meeting of the İmralı delegation shows how closely the society follows this process and keeps the hopes for a solution alive. Now all eyes will be on the İmralı delegation's meeting with Abdullah Öcalan and the messages to be conveyed.

 

MA / Özgür Paksoy