Politics · Turkey · 1 hr ago
Erdoğan and Bahçeli discuss Türkiye’s terror-free initiative
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli in Ankara on Tuesday.
The closed-door meeting lasted about an hour, according to one account.
The main focus was Türkiye’s effort to end terrorism, known as the “terror-free Türkiye” initiative.
The process began in 2024 after Bahçeli urged jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to call on the group to disarm; Öcalan made that call in February 2025.
A disarmament process is now under way, and Türkiye plans laws that could offer leniency to PKK members not involved in terrorist acts.
The leaders also discussed regional security and a possible next goal of a “terror-free region”; other regional matters were expected to be on the agenda.
Their talks considered the initiative’s next steps, but no specific decision or timetable was reported.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli in Ankara on Tuesday, with the “terror-free Türkiye” process reported as the main topic.
The meeting was held behind closed doors and lasted about an hour, according to Sabah.
The leaders discussed the process’s current stage and next steps, as well as its regional security implications, Sabah reported.
The meeting was their fourth encounter of the year, although the sources give different dates for one earlier meeting.
- Who
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli.
- What
- They met to discuss political issues, including the “terror-free Türkiye” process.
- When
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The meeting began at 2 p.m. local time, according to Daily Sabah.
- Where
- The Presidential Complex in Ankara, also referred to as Beştepe.
- Why
- To discuss the progress and next steps of the “terror-free Türkiye” process and other political and regional issues.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The “terror-free Türkiye” initiative began after a speech by Bahçeli urging Abdullah Öcalan to call on the PKK to lay down arms.
Öcalan called on the PKK to lay down its arms.
Erdoğan and Bahçeli met, according to both sources.
Erdoğan and Bahçeli met, according to both sources.
The sources differ on an earlier meeting date: Daily Sabah gives August 26, while Sabah lists August 6 for a Beştepe meeting and also says they met on August 26 at Malazgirt Victory anniversary events.
Erdoğan and Bahçeli met at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
- Meeting date
- October 27, 2026
- Meeting time
- Began at 2 p.m. local time, according to Daily Sabah
- Meeting duration
- About one hour, according to Sabah
- Main reported topic
- The “terror-free Türkiye” process
- Meeting place
- Presidential Complex, Ankara
- Encounters this year
- Fourth meeting, according to both sources