ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) on Tuesday praised far-right politician Devlet Bahceli for his efforts in advancing the peace process with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and introducing “new perspectives.” 

Bahçeli has previously advocated for jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to play a key role in the process.

“Since the beginning of the process, [Nationalist Movement Party] leader Devlet Bahceli has made strong statements aimed at removing obstacles before Turkey and freeing the country from terrorism,” AK Party spokesperson Omer Celik said in a speech following a party leadership meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Each of his remarks are extremely valuable and we have been evaluating them carefully,” he added.

Celik asserted that the ultranationalist leader’s assessments on advancing the process “go far beyond the literature developed on this issue worldwide so far and introduce new perspectives.”

Earlier in May, Bahceli argued that Ocalan should assume the title of "Peace Process and Political Affairs Coordinator,” saying that the status of the jailed leader must be tackled and an active role given to him to oversee developments made in the process.

The MHP leader’s remarks echoed a similar call by the PKK’s leadership in a press conference on the same day, saying that Ocalan must be granted the conditions to work freely to inspire belief that the process is progressing and for it to reach a conclusion.

The PKK has also been critical of Ankara’s lack of sufficient steps to advance the process, with the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) accusing the Turkish government of “suspending” the process, in a statement to The New Region.

“Until now, we have been taking five unilateral steps. But the Turkish side has not taken any concrete steps,” KCK spokesperson Zagros Hiwa noted, asserting that the movement “will not proceed without guarantees,” and the continuation of the process “totally depends on the attitude of the AKP-MHP government. The ball is in their court.”

Despite the PKK’s criticism, the Turkish leadership has described the progress made positively, and has expressed optimism about the direction of the process.

Bahceli is also the initiator of the process, which started after his call on the PKK leader to address the Turkish parliament and call on his group to disarm.

On February 18, the Turkish parliament approved a report drafted by the committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the process. The report called for not labeling non-violent actions and freedom of expression as “terrorism”, and for the reintegration of members who gave up their weapons back into society.