Cengiz Çandar describes the current talks between the Kurds and Turkey as a new and unique process, very different from previous experiences. He emphasizes that we are now at the beginning of a political and peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue, but there is still a long road ahead of us.

On the evening of Thursday, 3 July 2025, an online public dialogue was organized by the Vision Organization for Strategic Research with Cengiz Çandar, the well-known Turkish writer and journalist, who is also a member of the Turkish Parliament representing the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). In this dialogue, Çandar spoke in detail about the phases of negotiations between the Kurds and Turkey. He shed light on recent developments and stressed the importance of the steps taken by both the Kurds and the Turkish government toward resolving the Kurdish issue in the country.

He explained that Turkish decision-makers believe that no step can be taken without strengthening internal harmony. This leads to the conclusion that armed opposition groups should no longer exist within the country. In addition, the international and regional context has shifted in such a way that armed struggle is no longer necessary. Therefore, a decision by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to end armed struggle can be viewed as the beginning of negotiations for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue—especially now that the Kurds are involved in the process and no one can deny their role.

Regarding the latest talks between the Kurds and Turkey, Çandar stated: Recently, the PKK has declared a ceasefire, and in response, the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament is forming a commission composed of representatives from all participating parliamentary parties to find a roadmap and mechanism to solve the Kurdish issue. As part of this process, a reconciliation decision will be issued, and changes will be made to the penal code, which could lead to constitutional amendments to help Kurds feel like an integral part of Turkey.

He added: Within Turkey, everyone is optimistic, but we are still aware that different opinions exist and could become a source of conflict in the future. So we can say that despite the optimism, a long and challenging path still lies ahead.