Erdoğan Renews Call for Civilian Constitution, Confirms Talks with DEM as Türkiye Seeks ‘Terror-Free Future’

By Ahora Qadi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday reaffirmed his government's resolve to replace the country's 1982 coup-era constitution with a civilian, libertarian charter, declaring that “it is time for the Turkish people to rid themselves of the constitution imposed by the military.”

Speaking to journalists aboard his return flight from the NATO Leaders’ Summit in The Hague, Erdoğan stated that Türkiye’s current constitution was drafted under “extraordinary circumstances” in the wake of a military coup, and has since been “patched like a forty-piece bundle” through numerous amendments.

‘The nation deserves a new social contract’

“We have always promised a new constitution when we appeared before the people. It’s not just our party—other parties made the same pledge,” Erdoğan said, noting that a commission within the ruling AK Party has already begun outlining foundational principles for a new constitutional framework. He stressed that the cooperation of the opposition, particularly the Republican People's Party (CHP), would be “crucial.”

“Our goal is not to attack the vine-grower, but to eat the grapes,” Erdoğan said metaphorically. “Even just to remove the stain of military interference on our democracy, we need a new constitution. This is a national responsibility, not a partisan one.”

Strategic diplomacy amid regional turmoil

Erdoğan also addressed a wide array of regional and international issues, including the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and recent tensions between Iran and Israel. At the NATO summit, Erdoğan stressed the importance of collective defense and recalled that members had agreed to increase military spending to 5% of GDP over the next decade.

Highlighting Türkiye’s role in de-escalating regional conflicts, Erdoğan said Ankara was in contact with both Moscow and Kyiv and remained committed to hosting a third round of peace talks. “Even a sliver of hope for peace is worth pursuing,” he said, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump had expressed willingness to attend talks in Istanbul or Ankara if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed.

Türkiye and the U.S.: A new chapter

Erdoğan described his meeting with Trump as positive, stating that the two leaders had opened the door to a new era in Turkish-American relations. He emphasized Türkiye’s long-standing concerns about the U.S. partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and reiterated Ankara’s insistence on protecting its borders and security interests.

“Despite historical divergences, Turkish-American relations remain of strategic importance,” Erdoğan noted, adding that both sides are working to implement steps that benefit regional stability, especially in Syria.

Support for Syria’s territorial integrity

The Turkish president also declared Ankara’s support for Syria’s unity and the new leadership in Damascus, saying, “The integrity of Syrian territory is non-negotiable.” He revealed ongoing diplomatic and intelligence-level contact with Damascus and urged all armed groups to unify under the Syrian national army. “We have a historic and cultural bond with Syria. What happens there affects Türkiye directly.”

He noted that French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed interest in playing a more active role in Syria during their bilateral meeting.

Toward a ‘Terror-Free Türkiye’

Addressing domestic peace efforts, Erdoğan confirmed he would meet next week with the pro-Kurdish DEM Party delegation as part of the “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative. He emphasized that his government, in alliance with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), is determined to pursue this process with “patience, sincerity, and resilience.”

“We are trying to shield this process from external interference. There is growing support in parliament, and we must not let daily political polemics derail such a vital national issue,” he stated. “We will assign a representative to a parliamentary commission to carry this forward.”

He paid tribute to the late Sırrı Süreyya Önder and praised the “responsible tone” of the DEM Party, expressing hope for constructive outcomes from the upcoming talks.

Türkiye to host 2026 NATO Summit

Erdoğan concluded by announcing that Türkiye will host the NATO Leaders’ Summit in 2026, calling it a “strategic opportunity” to showcase Ankara’s central role in global security and diplomacy.

“Our region has long exceeded its quota of conflict and instability. Now it’s time to build peace, open the gates of diplomacy, and lead our region—and the world—toward calm,” he affirmed.