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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party's (DEM Party) Imrali delegation, including Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Van MP Pervin Buldan and Sanliurfa MP Mithat Sancar, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
The closed-door meeting lasted about one hour and was also attended by ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin.
Following the meeting, the DEM Party released a written statement confirming that the delegation presented its views on the progress of the “Peace and Democratic Society Process” and proposals for the next steps.
“Our delegation held a one-hour meeting with President Erdogan in Bestepe, during which we shared our perspectives on the current stage of the peace process and discussed necessary future steps,” the statement read. “We are pleased to note that there is mutual understanding and agreement on taking steps to ensure faster and healthier progress of the process.”
This marks the third meeting between Erdogan and the Imralı delegation, following previous talks held on April 10 and July 7. The meeting came after the recent announcement that the terrorist organization PKK had withdrawn its forces from Türkiye.
Before the talks, Pervin Buldan described the meeting as “very important and meaningful,” emphasizing that “we are all aware that we are going through a historic period.”
Mithat Sancar added, “Our main agenda is the course of the process so far, its current stage, and what needs to be done next. We will share our views, suggestions, and evaluations with the President. We believe this meeting will lead to positive and constructive outcomes.”
Prior to the meeting, the DEM Party delegation met with several key figures of the Kurdish political movement in Edirne and Kandira prisons, including former Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag. Demirtas conveyed through the delegation that he was “ready to contribute” to the new process. The delegation also met with former Diyarbakir Mayor Selcuk Mizrakli and former MP Semra Guzel.
Meanwhile, the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission convened on Oct. 30, where Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc were briefed on the “terror-free Türkiye” process.
Speaking after the meeting, Tunc said that any legal regulations needed for the process would be determined by Parliament. “If a legal arrangement is required, it will be at the discretion of Parliament,” he said. “We will continue our work in line with the collective will of the legislature.”
Selahattin Demirtas, imprisoned since November 2016, remains a focal point in discussions surrounding the new peace process. The European Court of Human Rights has issued multiple rulings, in 2018, 2020, and 2025, calling for his release, which Türkiye has so far not implemented. The Justice Ministry appealed the latest ruling on Oct. 8.
Demirtas previously announced his withdrawal from active politics after the May 2023 elections, stating that while he had offered to run for president, the party leadership had rejected the proposal without explanation.
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