Minister Atalay: "We Will Speak to Anyone for a Solution"

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara, Minister of the Interior Beşir Atalay said that the government was preparing a package for a solution to the Kurdish question.

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While he did not speak about the content of the package, he said that it contained short-term, mid-term and long-term precautions and implementations.

His statement that the government would speak to all political parties suggests that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has up to now refused to meet with parliamentarians of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) will change his attitude.

Call for cooperation

When asked by journalists about the role of the DTP in this process, the minister said, "You are aware of the current positive atmosphere. Our efforts are aimed at using this for positive results. We expect efforts from everyone, including parties."

Atalay said that Turkey had lost a lot because of the Kurdish issue and emphasised several times that a solution would come with the development of democracy and an increase in rights and liberties.

The minister said, however, that it was too early to speak about the content of the package, as the work was still in progress.

He called on everyone to learn from the past, and pointed out that there were positive expectations of social agreement from the President, Prime Minister, the media, political party leaders, academics, NGOs and citizens. Atalay said that positive steps from the opposition were very welcome.

A look at other countries

Although Turkey would construct its own model, the minister said that they had examined the experiences of other countries. For instance, he spoke to the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs last week. (TK/AG)