Dem Party Delegation to Meet AKP for Peace Dialogue in Ankara
The meeting, took place at the Turkish Parliament and came on the heels of the 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which signaled the movement’s willingness to explore new paths toward a peaceful resolution.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a significant political development, a delegation from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (Dem Party) meet with representatives of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Wednesday, to discuss the future of peace efforts in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan.
The meeting, took place at the Turkish Parliament and came on the heels of the 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which signaled the movement’s willingness to explore new paths toward a peaceful resolution.
The Dem Party delegation, led by co-chairs Tuncer Bakirhan and Tülay Hatimoğulları, was received by AKP parliamentary group leader Abdullah Güler.
Building on Political Engagements
This forthcoming meeting comes just one day after DEM Party co-chairs held talks with Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli. Speaking after that engagement, Tuncer Bakirhan said:
“The meeting was constructive, and our engagement with the MHP will continue.”
He emphasized that a peaceful and democratic resolution is the only viable path forward:
“Two roads lie ahead of us: one of continued conflict, and another of peace and reconciliation. We must not lose more time; we must pursue peace.”
Visits to Imrali and Other Parties Signal Coordinated Peace Strategy
The DEM Party’s outreach campaign began earlier this month when a delegation—including Van MP Pervin Buldan and Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyer Fayik Özgür Erol—visited İmralı Island on May 18, 2025, and met with the jailed PKK leader. Following the visit, the DEM Party intensified its political consultations in a bid to foster cross-party support for a new peace framework.
On May 19, DEM representatives met with leaders from the DEVA Party and the Felicity Party to explore shared visions for dialogue. These contacts, including today’s meeting with the MHP and the upcoming session with the AKP, all revolve around one core objective: discussing the political environment after the PKK’s 12th Congress and identifying realistic pathways toward peace in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan.
A Parliamentary Path to Peace
At a recent party meeting on May 22, Bakirhan outlined the DEM Party’s vision for building peace through institutional mechanisms.
“Democracy is the foundation of this new process. It is essential that we act through the parliament to build lasting peace,” he stated.
Bakirhan also underscored the need to resolve key legal and constitutional barriers:
“We are evaluating proposals for reforms, including those addressing penal codes and political representation, which could pave the way for the release of political prisoners.”
Broader Implications for Turkish Politics
The revival of peace efforts comes amid increasing regional volatility, but also with new political openings. Bakirhan pointed to recent comments by Turkish leaders—including President Erdogan—and the PKK’s congress resolution as key turning points.
“The call by Bahçeli, Öcalan’s stance, and Erdogan’s remarks, along with the PKK congress, have all created momentum for a shift from conflict toward peace,” he said.
The Dem Party has called on all political forces in Turkey to support a parliamentary route to peace and to facilitate dialogue without delay.
While official remarks from the AKP regarding the meeting remain pending, observers consider the dialogue a potentially historic step toward restarting negotiations in a more institutional and transparent framework.
Observers also note that the main purpose of these visits is to discuss the possibilities of a new peace process in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan, as well as to evaluate the political situation after the 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
