'Violence and politics cannot stand side by side'

Speaking at the AK Party's Sakarya Congress, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan relayed a series of messages to the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which have been criticizing the state's attempt to reach a solution to the Kurdish issue.

THEY DISREGARD THEIR ANCESTORS: "The spirit of the Ottomans and the Seljuks is being tread upon. Those who reject the Ottomans reject the Seljuks and deny their own heritage cannot be nationalists. Mr. Bahçeli aren't you supposed to be a nationalist? Are you disregarding your own ancestors? Those who call themselves nationalists should first go out and learn their own nation's history.

I HAVE MADE THREE REQUESTS FOR A MEETING: MHP does not conduct politics, nor does it produce politics, quite the contrary, they act with the reflex of a despot, authoritarian state. Politics is solving problems through expertise, dialogue and compromise. Those who do not even attempt to talk must have nothing to say. I have requested a meeting with MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli three times and he has yet to respond.

THEY DO NOT SHUN VIOLENCE: Just like the MHP, BDP is also trying to remain standing through exploiting the concept of race and nationality. Instead of putting forth ideas, instead of saying something, they perceive violence to be a tool. Violence and politics can absolutely never coexist. There are no politics where there is violence and there should never be violence where there is politics. Politics is only possible when violence is completely shunned. However, they do not shun violence, because they are under threat. They do not distance themselves from violence or terrorism.
Ten years ago when I said I would build an airport for Hakkâri, Şırnak and Iğdır nobody believed me. Now roads are being made built and tunnels are being dug. We are coming through the mountains and hope to surpass them.

THERE WAS AN ERA WHICH WAS WRAPPED UP IN A WIND OF FASCISM: Unfortunately there was an era where Turkey's leaders got wrapped up in a wind of fascism from Europe. Traces still remain to this day and our struggle still continues."