BRUSSELS
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairman Selahattin Demirtas said there is "no other option" but to move forward with the “solution process” in Turkey.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency upon his arrival at Brussels Airport on Wednesday, Demirtas said: "If the public wants peace then the [Turkish] government cannot be silent to this demand.
"When peace is so close, we have no other option but to reach out and hold on to it," he said.
His comments come amid tensions between the Turkish army and the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) after a string of deadly attacks in the country.
Demirtas urged on Sunday the Turkish government and armed members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to cease fire immediately.
The “solution process” to end the 30-year conflict between Turkey and the PKK militants began in 2013. The process has stalled after the recent murders of a number of police officers and soldiers in the country.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn also urged Turkey on Monday to "re-commit to the peace process [solution process] and work now on a broad and inclusive political solution”.
"We count on Turkey to live up to its important and strategic role for the whole region, by refraining from any action that could further destabilize the region," Hahn said in a statement.
Security forces have come under attack across the country since the July 20 Suruc bombing in southeastern Turkey, which killed 32 people. The bombing was believed to be carried out by Daesh.
Turkey has responded to the bloodshed by arresting more than 1,300 suspected supporters of outlawed groups, including Daesh and the PKK.
