Politics
Turkish, Spanish lawmakers laud growing ties
The heads of foreign affairs committees of the Turkish Parliament and the Spanish Senate met in Ankara on Thursday.
Turkish committee chair Fuat Oktay welcomed Spain’s Pilar Milagros Rojo Noguera, as the two countries have a newfound momentum in bilateral relations.
In his remarks during the meeting at Parliament, Oktay emphasized the importance of relations between Türkiye and Spain, stating that the two countries’ similar positions on humanitarian issues and regional challenges, especially regarding Gaza, have strengthened the bond between their peoples.
Oktay said that cooperation between the two countries should be further enhanced in the fields of communications, technology, innovation and the defense industry. “I believe that mutual investments on a bilateral basis should increase, and that we can also jointly evaluate opportunities in third countries, including Ibero-America, Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, Ukraine and Syria,” he said.
Stating that security and defense industry cooperation between Türkiye and Spain is exemplary, Oktay said: “Spain’s deployment of a Patriot missile battery in our country for the past 11 years, as well as the agreement regarding the procurement of (Türkiye’s) Hürjet aircraft, are important indicators of our alliance spirit and solidarity. These areas of cooperation will continue to expand.”
Noting that Türkiye values Spain’s principled stance on the Palestinian issue, Oktay said: “We are pleased with the developments concerning the peace agreement in Iran and hope that this will contribute to lasting peace and security in our region. We welcome Spain’s support for Türkiye’s European Union membership process. During today’s meeting, in addition to bilateral relations, we will have the opportunity to discuss Türkiye-EU relations, Euro-Atlantic security, Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, Latin America and the Caribbean, the war in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon, U.S.-Iran peace negotiations, the situation in Syria, and other regional developments.”
Pilar Milagros Rojo Noguera, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Senate, also emphasized the importance of their visit to the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Referring to relations between Türkiye and Spain, Noguera stated that both countries are assuming responsibilities in the face of the challenges currently affecting the region.
New Party (YP) Chair Özgür Özel is in hot water but appears dismissive of the mounting accusations against him.
Özel, who was ousted from the chairpersonship of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) last May, claimed that payments made informally to the CHP during his tenure were “not bribery.”
“They said they paid money to cover the party’s expenses. We paid each other and pooled our funds. How is that bribery?” Özel told journalists on Thursday in response to statements by corruption suspects who admitted handing over large sums of cash to Özel and his associates in the CHP.
The allegations are detailed in a parliamentary referral that prosecutors submitted to Parliament, seeking the removal of Özel’s parliamentary immunity. The referral accuses Özel of “serial bribe-taking,” based on an investigation that includes witness statements, phone records, and evidence of suspicious financial transactions ranging from TL 50 million ($1.05 million) to 1 million euros ($1.15 million).
Prosecutors allege that the transactions took place before the 2024 municipal elections and during the process leading to the CHP’s 2023 party congress that brought Özel to power. It was the same congress that ultimately cost Özel his position after a court ruled that vote-buying allegations involving Özel’s camp were sufficient to invalidate the election and reinstated his rival and the party’s former chair, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, to the post in May.
Accounts relating to the conversion of a luxury VIP minibus for Özel’s use, the purchase of a car, cash payments, and the provision of watches and handbags are also included in the case file against the YP chairperson.
Prosecutors allege that Özel used his influence to obtain benefits during candidate selection and election processes, either directly or through lawmaker Veli Ağbaba, a close associate who joined the YP when it was founded last month. Ağbaba also faces similar allegations that could lead to the lifting of his parliamentary immunity.
One of the allegations against Özel is that he obtained financial benefits from former Antalya mayor Muhittin Böcek and his son, Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, before the 2024 municipal elections in exchange for securing Böcek’s nomination. He is also accused of receiving benefits from Özkan Yalım, the former mayor of the western province of Uşak. Both Yalım and Böcek were arrested in separate investigations into alleged corruption in the municipalities they governed.
The referral includes detailed testimony from Mustafa Gökhan Böcek. According to his statement, during the process of securing his father’s nomination, Veli Ağbaba called him and said he was acting on Özel’s instructions. Böcek stated that TL 30 million was initially requested, followed by 1 million euros. He said that after his father told him to “do what is necessary,” he collected the money from businesspeople in Antalya and traveled to Ankara with his wife on Jan. 9, 2024. He stated that he delivered the money at CHP headquarters to Emre Caner, whom Ağbaba had instructed him to meet, and later identified him.
Mustafa Gökhan Böcek also stated that before a campaign launch event, Ağbaba told him that “TL 7 million or TL 8 million in cash would be good.” He said that during the launch event in Antalya, he handed over $200,000 to a person sent by Ağbaba. Muhittin Böcek likewise stated that he instructed his son to “do what was necessary” regarding the financial demands of the party headquarters.
According to witness statements obtained during an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Onur Nasuh, Gökhan Böcek’s chauffeur, said that TL 50 million was sent to the CHP’s election headquarters in Istanbul to support Böcek’s candidacy. Witness Sezgin Köysüren stated that he had heard $15 million was given to Özel’s bodyguard, while another witness, Hüseyin Erkan Yılmaz, also testified that large sums of money had been paid.
Yalım, who cooperated with authorities in exchange for a reduced sentence, also told investigators that he paid 170,000 euros plus VAT for the conversion of a Mercedes V300 vehicle on Özel’s instructions. He further stated that he partially financed the purchase of a car registered in Özel’s father’s name, sent luxury handbags to Özel’s wife and daughter in 2022, bought another handbag at Özel’s request, and gave him a wristwatch as a gift in 2019.
Yalım further stated that during the period leading up to the 2023 party congress, he left TL 200,000 in a plastic bag by the garden wall of Özel’s home in Manisa on Özel’s instructions. He also claimed that on Oct. 14, 2023, he handed TL 1 million to a man named Demirkan near CHP headquarters, again acting on the instructions of the party leadership.
The 12-article draft Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration will be on the agenda of the Justice Committee of the Turkish Parliament on Friday. The bill is a crucial step in the terror-free Türkiye initiative, which has advanced primarily through the terrorist group PKK’s declaration of dissolution and its initial steps toward disarmament. If passed, the law will defer the sentences of PKK members not involved in acts of terrorism and facilitate the return of the group’s supporters from abroad.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) secured the signatures of 360 lawmakers this week and unveiled the contents of the bill on Wednesday when it submitted it to the Office of the Parliament Speaker. The temporary law excludes terrorists involved in killings as well as senior members of the terrorist group, including its founder, Abdullah Öcalan. PKK members will be allowed to surrender and benefit from provisions reducing or deferring their sentences once Turkish authorities confirm that the terrorist group has fully laid down its arms.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday welcomed the submission of the draft law to Parliament, describing it as a product of broad political consensus aimed at eliminating the terrorist threat, reinforcing national unity, and fostering lasting peace in Türkiye and the wider region. In a statement, Erdoğan said the proposal was the result of comprehensive consultations and reflected the nation’s determination to resolve one of its longstanding security challenges.
“The Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, prepared following extensive consultations, has been submitted to our esteemed Parliament with broad consensus reflecting our nation’s determination to achieve a solution,” Erdoğan said on social media. The president said the legislation seeks to permanently free Türkiye from the threat of terrorism while reinforcing national solidarity and fostering a climate of peace both at home and across the region.
“I hope this important step, which aims to permanently rid Türkiye of the terrorist threat, strengthen our national unity and solidarity, and reinforce an atmosphere of peace in our country and region, will bring positive outcomes,” he said.
Erdoğan also thanked those who contributed to drafting the legislation and advancing the process, singling out Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli, the AK Party’s partner in the People’s Alliance, for his role. He also expressed appreciation to parliamentary groups and lawmakers who supported the legislative effort, voicing hope that the process would continue successfully in the coming period. The president met Bahçeli on Thursday afternoon, likely to discuss the bill.
The Ministry of National Defense, which oversaw the military’s decades-long campaign against the PKK, said on Thursday that the initiative would significantly contribute to peace, security and stability both in Türkiye and the wider region. In a statement, the ministry noted that Türkiye had achieved significant success in counterterrorism thanks to the efforts of the security forces and the support of the nation.
“The largest share in this belongs to our revered martyrs, our veterans and their families, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the homeland,” the ministry said. It also underlined that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) would remain committed to their duties and responsibilities throughout the process and would continue “taking measures to crown the success in counterterrorism with lasting peace and security.”
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said on Thursday that the draft law was “absolutely not providing a special status for anyone and does not cover other terrorist groups.” Gürlek said in a social media post that the law would not apply to those who ordered terrorist attacks or those who carried out attacks that “took the lives of members of our security forces.” He also underlined that implementation of the law would be contingent upon the complete dissolution of the PKK and that the terrorist group would be required to destroy all of its weapons and munitions “in an irreversible way.”
Özgür Özel, chair of the main opposition New Party (YP), who supported the initiative while serving as chair of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), reiterated his support for the process, although his party abstained from signing the draft bill. On Thursday, Özel met with the families of victims of terrorism in Ankara and renewed his support for ending terrorism. “We advocate that all guns fall silent and that all weapons in the hands of the terrorist group be removed,” he said, while pledging that his party would contribute to the Justice Committee’s work on the bill. Özel, however, claimed that the government was trying to portray the initiative as a solution to the concerns of the families of martyrs and counterterrorism veterans.
On Wednesday, a parliamentary committee approved a separate draft bill to improve the benefits of the families of martyrs and veterans by increasing their monthly compensation.
Ayşegül Doğan, spokesperson for the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), which has intricate links to the PKK, said at a news conference on Thursday that the draft bill marked the first step of a new era “in terms of a transition from armed conflict to legal and democratic politics.” The DEM Party acted as an intermediary between the imprisoned Öcalan and Parliament, also relaying his messages regarding the initiative to the public. The party views the PKK as an armed group fighting for what it considers a just cause, in contrast to the state’s designation of the group as a terrorist organization. Doğan said the process should advance “under the joint responsibility of society and all political parties.”
Türkiye’s National Security Council (MGK) on Thursday called for the international community to take a firm and uncompromising stance against Israel over continued cease-fire violations in Gaza, escalating settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territories and provocative attacks on holy sites, including Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the council said the international community must respond decisively to Israel’s continued cease-fire violations despite recent progress under the Gaza Peace Plan.
The council also condemned escalating settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territories and continued provocative attacks targeting holy sites, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing that a clear and uncompromising international response is needed.
The meeting also reviewed progress toward Türkiye’s “Terror-Free Türkiye” and “Terror-Free Region” goals, with members discussing the next phase of efforts aimed at strengthening national security, regional stability and long-term prosperity.
The council received briefings on ongoing counterterrorism operations against the PKK/KCK-PYD/YPG, the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) and Daesh terrorist groups, saying operations at home and abroad continue with determination.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the July 15, 2016, defeated coup attempt, the council assessed the latest stage of the fight against FETÖ and reaffirmed that efforts to dismantle the group’s remaining network would continue.
The MGK also highlighted Türkiye’s successful hosting of the NATO Summit, describing it as a critical milestone for the alliance while reaffirming Ankara’s commitment to sharing its advanced defense capabilities with allies.
On regional issues, the council warned that renewed clashes between Iran and the United States pose risks to neighboring countries and global trade routes, urging all sides to refrain from the use of force and return to negotiations aimed at securing lasting peace.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, the council said expanding the conflict into neighboring regions, particularly the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, would not resolve the strategic deadlock and called on both sides to reduce tensions and take concrete steps toward peace.
The statement also underscored the importance of deepening multidimensional cooperation with Syria and Iraq, saying stronger regional coordination remains essential for security, stability and prosperity.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will travel to Saudi Arabia on Friday for a one-day working visit, where he is expected to hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said Thursday.
During the visit, Erdoğan is also expected to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
A source close to the Saudi government told AFP that the three will hold a summit on Friday in Jeddah.
No further details were immediately released on the agenda of the meetings.
On Monday, Erdoğan told the Saudi Crown Prince that Israel must fully comply with the roadmap for the second phase of the Gaza Peace Plan for it to succeed, as the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional developments in a phone call.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was received by Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Wednesday during his visit to Amman, where he attended a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem focused on ongoing Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque and in Palestine.
Fidan met with the Jordanian monarch in the capital Amman, the Foreign Ministry said.
No further information on the meeting was as yet provided.
During the meeting, Fidan said nearly 20 Islamic countries discussed “collective measures” against Israel’s recent violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing that regional crises should not distract international attention from developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
On the sidelines of the broader meeting, Fidan also attended the fifth ministerial gathering of what he called the “Group of Four” – Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan.
Fidan said the participants focused exclusively on recent Israeli actions targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque, as he reiterated Türkiye’s determined stance regarding Palestine. He noted that regional crises, including the Gulf conflict, have not diverted Ankara’s focus from Gaza, Jerusalem and the broader Palestinian cause.
Delivering bribes in chocolate boxes appears to be a common tactic at municipalities run by the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). An investigation into Ankara’s Etimesgut Municipality, whose mayor and top officials were recently arrested on corruption charges, revealed that the same method was allegedly used there.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Etimesgut Deputy Mayor Mutlu Kerimoğlu received a chocolate box containing $1.2 million (TL 57.11 million) from a construction company in exchange for awarding the rights to a vacant municipally owned lot for development. A contractor questioned in a corruption probe centered on Istanbul’s Üsküdar Municipality had earlier confessed to delivering about $300,000 to a municipal employee inside a chocolate box in exchange for securing a building permit. Similarly, the deputy mayor of Antalya’s Manavgat Municipality was arrested last year after he was caught on camera allegedly receiving a baklava box filled with cash as a bribe.
The investigation into alleged corruption at Etimesgut municipality also exposed additional methods allegedly used by suspects to cover up their activities and intimidate people seeking to do business with the municipality into paying bribes upfront.
Hüdaver Alkaya, a contractor who cooperated with investigators, admitted to bribing Ozan Yiğit, a member of the Etimesgut Municipal Assembly, to secure a permit for a housing development. Alkaya told investigators that he visited Yiğit at his office in the municipality, where they met in a separate private room accessible only through a concealed entrance. There, he said, he handed Yiğit TL 1 million in bribe money. About a week later, he received the permit he had long sought.
The allegations in the Etimesgut corruption case also describe how a contractor allegedly agreed to pay TL 250 million in exchange for building permits after meeting with senior municipal officials. An audio recording included in the investigation allegedly captured a contractor being urged to “donate” money to the municipality in exchange for permits, while another contractor was allegedly told to “donate” computers and televisions to the municipality in return for obtaining permits.
Tuncay Karadeniz, a businessperson seeking to lease a municipally owned parking lot, told investigators that he contacted Ozan Yiğit and paid him $8,000. He claimed that Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu then entered the room where he was meeting with Yiğit, asked how much he had paid, and instructed him to pay TL 1.5 million for the lease.
Uğur Şanalan, an event organizer, told investigators that municipal officials demanded exorbitant fees for the use of a public venue for a concert. When he was unable to pay, he said, the municipality dispatched excavators and trucks to the venue to block the event, ultimately forcing him to cancel the concert.
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