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Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said the ongoing weapon-laying process of the PKK terrorist organization is not the result of bargaining but reflects Ankara's determination for peace and unity as a new parliamentary commission holds its first meeting Tuesday.
"It should be known that the weapon-laying process we are witnessing is never the result of a bargain. It is the result of our nation's determination for peace and unity, and it is a reflection of this," the Parliament speaker said during the inaugural session of the commission established under the "terror-free Türkiye" process.
The commission, chaired by Parliament Speaker Kurtulmus, convened in the Turkish Parliament's Ceremonial Hall for its first meeting.
The 48-member body was established to address issues arising from the PKK's decision to disband and lay down arms.
"We may not be writing a new constitution in this commission, but we will establish sentences of brotherhood and act together. Our Parliament will not only remind us of the thousand-year brotherhood, but will also redefine it on the political level," Kurtulmus said in his opening remarks.
Beginning his speech with wishes for the meeting to be "blessed and auspicious," Kurtulmus emphasized they were at a historic turning point to rid the nation of the terrorism scourge that had plagued it for half a century.
The commission includes representatives from 11 political parties, with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) holding 21 seats, the Republican People's Party (CHP) 10 seats, and smaller parties represented proportionally based on their parliamentary strength.
Kurtulmus noted that today's meetings could constitute a turning point, stating: "This hall represents the reflection of a political will where 98% of society is represented. Every briefing and step will be carried out transparently and inclusively."
"Every work carried out under this roof will proceed before the public eye and with the guarantee of national will," he noted.
Kurtulmus emphasized the devastating long-term effects of terrorism on national development: "If we had not dealt with the terrorism scourge, if we could have allocated a significant portion of our budget to development rather than fighting terrorism for years, how many schools, universities, hospitals could have been built much earlier?"
"More students would meet with more qualified education, more of our people would have easier and faster access to health," he added.
He noted that Türkiye could have reached its current technological achievements much earlier: "Our defense technologies that we are proud of today, our own helicopters, satellites, the level we have reached in the national defense industry, we could have reached this level perhaps much earlier. But beyond all these losses, the heaviest price has undoubtedly been paid with lives. Spiritual losses are our unforgettable pains."
The Parliament speaker later outlined three fundamental principles for the commission's work: transparency, openness, and pluralism. He emphasized that public and media briefings about commission activities would be conducted solely by the Parliament presidency.
"This is to ensure that statements that could poison and provoke the process are not given credence. Therefore, informing the public in a timely and accurate manner through our press should be one of our priorities," Kurtulmus said.
Kurtulmus highlighted that the "terror-free Türkiye" process represents broader regional aspirations: "Terror-free Türkiye means a terrorism-free region."
He emphasized the historical bonds between Turkish and Kurdish peoples, referencing historical figures and shared heritage: "We are the grandchildren of those who fought shoulder to shoulder at Gallipoli. Being comrades in destiny means walking together not only on battlefields but also in sweat, pain and hope."
The speaker emphasized the need for institutional stability: "Despite the fragility of global conditions and regional developments, we are obliged to grow our unity at home, consolidate social peace, and protect regional peace abroad."
"We have to fortify our internal front and base Türkiye's stability on institutional political reason," he noted.
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The Parliament speaker clarified the commission's role as a consultative body: "This process is a survival issue that concerns the common future of citizens from all segments, both Turkish and Kurdish. Therefore, our commission will act as a negotiating consultative body."
He outlined the commission's specific responsibilities: "Among the duties and responsibilities of the commission, monitoring the weapon-laying process on behalf of the nation is of great importance. This process should be carefully monitored, guided, and recommendations should be presented when necessary with its legal framework, social ground, and political language."
The commission's legislative role was also defined: "Proposing and preparing legal arrangements that will make peace permanent with the complete laying down of weapons is also among the responsibilities of this commission."
"Developing proposals, presenting reports, making analyses and carrying these to the general will of the Parliament in line with emerging needs is also the main duty of this structure," he added.
The commission will include not only political institutions but all segments of society in its work, according to Kurtulmus. He noted that opinion leaders, universities, the legal community, and civil society organizations would contribute to the process.
"No one should be left out, no idea should be pushed aside. Because we want to establish the unity and brotherhood that encompasses this entire nation," he said.
The commission includes specific representatives from each political party:
AK Party (21 members): Abdulhamit Gul, Mustafa Sen, Kursad Zorlu, Huseyin Yayman, Cuneyt Yuksel, Sunay Karamik, Selami Altinok, Kemal Celik, Mehmet Sait Yaz, Mahmut Atilla Kaya, Sengul Karsli, Mehmet Sahin, Ayse Bohurler, Radiye Sezer Katircioglu, Tahir Akyurek, Ali Kiratli, Cevahir Asuman Yazmaci, Gokhan Diktas, Burhan Kayaturk, Abdurrahman Babacan, and Ersan Aksu.
CHP (10 members): Murat Emir, Okan Konuralp, Nurhayat Altaca Kayisoglu, Mustafa Sezgin Tanrikulu, Turkan Elci, Turan Taskin Ozer, Oguz Kaan Salici, Murat Bakan, Gokce Gokcen, and Mehmet Salih Uzun.
Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) (four members): Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit, Meral Danis Bestas, Saruhan Oluc, and Cengiz Cicek.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) (four members): Feti Yildiz, Muhammet Levent Bulbul, Halil Ozturk, and Yucel Bulut.
Other parties are represented by a single or more members
The commission is expected to work continuously through the summer period and present significant recommendations by Oct. 1, when the new legislative session begins.
The commission will focus on key legal frameworks, including the Anti-Terrorism Law, Turkish Penal Code, and Penal Execution Law.
Kurtulmus concluded by emphasizing the commission’s unique role, describing it as a distinctive advisory body with strong political backing, authorized by the leadership of all political parties. He noted that the commission would swiftly complete its work and submit any resulting legislative proposals, regulations, or reports to the Turkish Parliament.
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