Third phase to start on Oct. 15: BDP

DİYARBAKIR - Doğan News Agency

If the Turkish government takes the necessary steps, the third “normalization” phase of the peace process may start on Oct. 15, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş has said.

The second phase of peace process involved the militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leaving Turkish land and crossing the border to northern Iraq. The third phase is known as “normalization,” but its details are not yet known by the public.

Considering Parliament’s working calendar, the most suitable date by which to complete the second phase is Sept. 1, Demirtaş stated.

“This is actually an issue between [the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK] Abdullah Öcalan and the state committee. In addition, we are also negotiating the issue. I mean, this is a suggestion suitable with the upcoming political process,” he added. Time is also an important factor in the search for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question, Demirtaş said. “Some practical steps must be taken, legalization in Parliament, by Oct. 15,” he said.