Ankara, December 22 – The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) convened today for a critical meeting focused on the ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ initiative. Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş welcomed representatives from all political parties with groups in the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission. The objective of the gathering is to harmonize individual party reports on achieving a ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ and prepare a unified document for parliamentary submission.
Key Participants and Discussions
The high-level meeting saw the participation of prominent figures, including AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Abdulhamit Gül, CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir, MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız, DEM Party Istanbul Deputy Cengiz Çiçek, and New Way Party Group Chairman Bülent Kaya. Before the closed-door session, MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız addressed journalists, outlining the immediate goals of the commission.
Yıldız stated, “We will prepare a joint report and submit it to the Parliament. It will be a framework text. It would be much better if a report emerged with the contribution of all parties. However, this does not mean that it will be perfectly harmonious. Political parties will try to reflect their individual opinions. Our reports will be submitted as an annex to this report. The important thing is to identify our common points and present this to the Parliament, to the discretion of the deputies.”
Red Lines and Timeline for the Report
Emphasizing the ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ objective, Yıldız highlighted the MHP’s stance on fundamental state principles. “In the report prepared by the MHP, it was inconceivable to be outside the red lines and founding philosophy of the Turkish State. We intend to exclude the first four articles of the Constitution, as well as Articles 42 and 66, from discussions. These are the fundamental pillars of the state. They are not debatable; if they open them for discussion, we will listen politely, but they will not be given credence. Because what is being done here is not to restructure the state, but to work together to end terrorism,” Yıldız asserted.
Regarding the timeline, Yıldız expressed optimism for a swift resolution. “I don’t think this meeting will take too long. A report will be prepared by the end of the year; but its submission to the Parliament, its evaluation by deputies, and its transformation into a draft law will take place in January,” he projected.
CHP’s Position and Next Steps
CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir confirmed that the parties would commence their work and initiate detailed discussions. The meeting proceeded behind closed doors, signaling the commencement of intensive deliberations among the political factions.
The initiative underscores a concerted effort across the political spectrum in Turkey to address and eradicate terrorism, aiming for a unified approach that respects constitutional principles while fostering national solidarity.
