ANKARA - Anadolu Agency
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Oct. 17 that Turkey's Kurdish solution process is not unidirectional and that negotiations will be conducted with all relevant parties.
'We will continue our efforts both by coordinating with all sides and by making reforms at a social level,' he told the media during a press conference at the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs.
Davutoğlu was speaking about Turkey's 'solution process,' an effort launched early last year by the Turkish government to secure an end to the decades-long conflict with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as by the U.S. and the European Union.
Davutoğlu reiterated the position of his cabinet to settle the issue as soon as possible. 'It is a process that we launched by our own will and one that we will pursue likewise. We won't abide by anyone else's position on whether to pause or continue the process,' he added.
When asked about reports over the alleged granting of official negotiator status to the PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan, the Turkish premier stressed that the solution process talks do not have only one addressee or one direction. Rather, all related parties will be involved in the process.
He reminded the audience that they have started to hold regular talks once a fortnight with the newly-established 'solution process council' -- a new step initiated by his government -- to guide the efforts to solve the Kurdish issue as soon as possible.
Davutoğlu noted that last week's violent protests across the country aimed at undermining and shattering the positive mentality in the region enabled by the ongoing solution process.
Turkish PM stressed that if steps are taken only by his government, they will fall short of rebuilding the positive atmosphere in the region, saying 'we need wise men to raise and further strengthen social awareness.'
He was referring to the 'Board of Wise People' -- a consultative body to oversee the ongoing efforts of the solution process.
On Oct. 19, Davutoğlu is scheduled to receive the 'Wise People' in Istanbul to discuss problems related to the Kurdish issue.
The 63-member committee includes writers, columnists and academics, in addition to many other figures with differing political views as well as different religions and ethnic backgrounds.
During the meeting, the board is expected to present a report to the prime minister about recent developments as well as an evaluation of the overall solution process.
The meeting will also discuss what steps should be taken next.
October/18/2014
PHOTO GALLERY Entities 0 Name: Davutoğlu Count: 4 1 Name: Turkey Count: 3 2 Name: PKK Count: 3 3 Name: Istanbul Count: 1 4 Name: Abdullah Öcalan Count: 1 5 Name: Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs Count: 1 6 Name: U.S. Count: 1 7 Name: Kurdistan Workers ' Party Count: 1 8 Name: ANKARA Count: 1 9 Name: European Union Count: 1 10 Name: Ahmet Davutoğlu Count: 1 11 Name: Anadolu Agency Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1ub3L1v Title: Exclusive: Turkey OK's American Drones to Fight ISIS Description: Send in the drones. But keep the manned aircraft at home. That's the message from the Turkish government to the U.S.-led coalition bombing ISIS and other extremists in Syria. Despite some recent signals from the Turkish government that it was finally ready to partner with the United States and others in the new war against ISIS, there is still a major snag.
