Turkish government reveals 63 names as 'wise people' to help Kurdish peace process

ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

Turkish actress Hülya Koçyiğit was named in the 'wise people' list. Hürriyet photo

Turkey’s group of “wise people,” which will take an active role in the country’s recent efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue, is made up of 63 prominent names that were carefully picked by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said after a press meeting today.

The seven groups of wise people, each of which will represent the seven geographical regions in Turkey, are set to meet with Erdoğan tomorrow.

Several Turkish celebrities, including actors Kadir İnanır, Lale Mansur, Yılmaz Erdoğan, Hülya Koçyiğit and musician Orhan Gencebay, were named in a government list published on daily Hürriyet’s website today.

Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Doğan TV Holding Chairwoman Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, journalists Ali Bayramoğlu, Oral Çalışlar and Fehmi Koru, and prominent academic Murat Belge are some of the other figures on the list.

Meeting with opinion leaders; holding symposiums, panels and conferences; making one-on-one contacts; and getting in touch with local, national and international media are among the things the commission members are expected to do, according to Erdoğan.