Syria issue injured Turkey’s Kurdish process: Business leader

NICOSIA

The head of Turkish Enterprise and Business Cooperation (TURKONFED), Tarkan Kadooğlu, blamed developments in Syria for the current deterioration of the Kurdish issue.

“If the Syria issue had not sparked, the [reconciliation] process would have been at a much different stage,” Kadooğlu told the Hürriyet Daily News.

Kadooğlu said, “People of Turkey are falling into the trap of some circles.”

When asked whether he blames foreign players for the current situation, he said “Turkish – Kurdish reconciliation would have meant acceptance of a Turkish leadership role in the Middle East. The [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK has started to be received again as an interlocutor by some countries. With the Syria issue, the whole process started to slide in another direction.”

When reminded that the two sides blame each other on the current impasse accompanied with violence, he said the interaction between the government and the other actors is not transparent. 

“We invite the government and the other actors to a live television discussion,” he added.

‘Past 10 days tragic’

“We are a bipartisan organization staunchly in the support of the peace process, democracy, the supremacy of law, the EU process and the participation of women in the labor force,” said Kadooğlu.

“We are deeply saddened by the developments of the past ten days. We call on all sides to act with common sense. All sides should act in conscience of the responsibility of the brotherhood process. We will again gather around the tablet to solve this issue,” said Kadooğlu, who is heading TURKONFED’S executive board’s visit to Turkish Cyprus.

The peace process would have eradiated regional inequalities and contributed to Turkey’s growth, he said, adding that the people want peace in Turkey. 

“People who voted in the elections now want to see the establishment of a coalition government by the political parties, which will come together for the sake of Turkey’s own interests in a reconciliatory and responsible way,” he said. 

He noted that a possible coalition government should be formed by the two political parties that represent the largest social basis in Turkey and shape the mainstream policies, referencing the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People’s Party (CHP). 

“This option will be beneficial for Turkey to be able to overcome any political, economic, social and terrorism problems Turkey may face in the future,” he added.