ANKARA - A commission planned to be established in the Parliament has been decided to be set up on the initiative of Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus. It is learnt that the commission will consist of at least 44 members.

 

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus and representatives of political parties came together today to discuss the establishment of a commission that is expected to be established as part of the ongoing "Peace and Democratic Society Process" to resolve the Kurdish issue. 

 

The meeting, which lasted for about 2 and a half hours, was attended by the Group Deputy Chairpersons of all parties with a group in the Parliament.

 

IYI PARTY WILL NOT TAKE PART

 

According to the information obtained, Kurtulmuş presented to the representatives the proposals previously submitted by the parties and agreed upon. Party representatives also presented their new proposals at this stage. At this stage of the meeting, the right wing IYI Party firmly stated that they will not be a member of the commission. IYI Party will not take part in the commission expected to be established.

 

TO BE ESTABLISHED ON THE INITIATIVE OF THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

 

Many other issues related to the commission came to the agenda during the meeting. Among the topics discussed during the meeting was the method of establishment of the commission. The DEM Party, CHP and Yeni Yol Party had proposed the establishment of the commission by law in the draft they had submitted earlier. At the meeting held today, this view was discussed again. In the meeting, it was decided to establish the commission directly on the initiative of the Speaker of the Assembly instead of establishing it by law. The commission will be established on Kurtulmuş's initiative.

 

PEACE AND DEMOCRACY EMPHASISED

 

Another topic discussed during the meeting was the name of the commission. DEM Party proposed that the name of the commission should definitely include the terms "Peace" and "Democracy" and that a formula should be found in this direction. The opposition parties also supported the DEM Party's proposal and demanded the inclusion of the term "Democracy". According to the information obtained, representatives of other political parties, including the AKP, and the Speaker of the Assembly did not react negatively to this proposal.

 

Another agenda item discussed at the meeting was the number of members of the commission to be established. According to the information obtained, representatives of political parties that do not have a group in the Parliament will also be included. There are 6 political parties that do not have a group and are included in the Parliament. One representative from each party is expected to be included. However, the commission is expected to consist of at least 44 members.

 

TO BE DETERMINED AT THE FIRST MEETING

 

There was also a discussion on the principles of the commission. During the meeting, it was agreed to determine these principles and principles at the first meeting after the establishment of the commission. It was also discussed which issues the commission will deal with and how. According to the information obtained, a Group Deputy Chair from each party will be determined and a coordination will be established. This coordination will jointly determine which issues will be on the agenda.

 

WRITTEN VERSION TO BE SENT NEXT WEEK

 

It was also decided to put these suggestions and decisions in writing. Kurtulmuş will prepare the written version next week and send it to the political parties again.

 

After this step, Kurtulmuş will share his preparations for the commission.

 

MA / Mehmet Aslan