Ankara: The Turkish parliament took an "important step" this week as part of the Terror-Free Trkiye process, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, referring to the passage of the Bill on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion. Erdogan's remarks on Thursday followed a meeting at the presidential complex with families of Turkish soldiers killed in past PKK terrorist attacks and veterans.
According to TRTworld.com, Erdogan stated, "This week, our Parliament took an important step in the Terror-Free Trkiye process that we are pursuing with the aim of ridding our country of the scourge of terrorism," on the Turkish social media platform. He emphasized that by acting with patience, sound judgement, and composure, Trkiye will forever be free from terrorism. Erdogan highlighted that the state had mobilized all available resources to support the families of martyrs and veterans.
He reiterated these sentiments at the graduation ceremony of the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy in Ankara, where he described the bill's passage by 467 votes as a historic step towards resolving an issue that had cost tens of thousands of lives and 40 years of the country's history. The Bill on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion, adopted on Monday, outlines procedures for suspending investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and related proceedings.
The procedures are set to take effect once authorities determine that the PKK/KCK terrorist organizations and affiliated groups have ceased their activities and surrendered their weapons. Erdogan further stated that Trkiye is reinforcing its military deterrence through diplomatic moves and strategic partnerships.
On Friday, Trkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan signed the Joint Defence Agreement at a trilateral summit in Mecca. The agreement pledges to strengthen collective security, deepen defence cooperation, and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.
