Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said the Terror-free Türkiye process is progressing successfully and as planned, and that the vast majority of the public supports the process.
Speaking while attending the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in the Italian capital, Rome, Kurtulmus said there is no need for any party to panic about the process. Kurtulmus said the work is continuing in harmony with public support and that there is nothing to be concerned about.
Law was adopted in August with 467 votes
Noting that efforts to end terrorism are progressing thanks to strong political will, Kurtulmus said the adoption of the law prepared under the process with the approval of 467 lawmakers showed the determination of different political parties to reach the goal.
In August, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye adopted and enacted the bill on "Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration," prepared as part of the Terror-free Türkiye process.
The law regulates certain procedures regarding investigations, prosecutions and final convictions concerning members of the organization after it is determined that the PKK has completely ended its presence in the field and handed over its weapons and ammunition. Investigations and cases concerning covered crimes punishable by prison sentences with an upper limit not exceeding 15 years can be postponed for 5 years.
Intentional killing and crimes committed before June 1, 2005, that carry aggravated life imprisonment are excluded from this regulation.
Disarmament process
Kurtulmus said the PKK is continuing to hand over its weapons and has accelerated the disarmament process. He stressed that for the law to be implemented, it must be verified that weapons have been completely laid down and that this has been officially recorded.
Kurtulmus also warned that circles harmed by peace could make provocative attempts. He called on all sides to use a new language that moves away from the old separatist rhetoric and behavior, and to avoid discriminatory expressions that exclude any ethnic, religious or sectarian group.
Mecca Defense Agreement
Asked when the "Mecca Defense Agreement" will be submitted to the Turkish Parliament for approval, Kurtulmus said it will be referred to the General Assembly for the necessary procedures once it arrives from the Presidency.
Saying the agreement is not directed against any third country and is not an agreement of hostility, Kurtulmus said the text does not support sectarian conflicts in the region. Kurtulmus said he hopes the agreement will in the future be expanded to other countries in the region and in the Islamic world, forming a common defense umbrella that guarantees peace and stability.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the joint defense agreement on Aug. 7. The agreement aims to strengthen the security of the three countries through deterrence and joint defense, in line with the common approach of Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia focused on regional security and stability.
