President Erdoğan hails passage of National Solidarity bill as a 'historic step'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday hailed parliament's passage of the National Solidarity and Social Cohesion Bill as a "historic step" in efforts to achieve a Terror-Free Türkiye.

The Bill on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion, adopted on Monday, sets out procedures for suspending investigations, prosecutions, convictions and related proceedings once authorities determine that the PKK/KCK terrorist organizations and affiliated groups have ended their activities and surrendered their weapons.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy in the capital Ankara, Erdoğan said achieving the vision of a Terror-Free Türkiye and a Terror-Free Region was of "vital importance."

"We regard the bill adopted by our parliament three days ago with 467 votes as a historic step taken on this path," Erdoğan said.

"God willing, with the state and the nation working hand in hand, we will permanently resolve this issue, which has cost us tens of thousands of lives and 40 years of our country's time," he added.

The president said Türkiye aims to enter a new period in which the threat of terrorism no longer hangs over the country.

"In a Türkiye where the shadow of terrorism has receded, God willing, we will sing new songs of brotherhood in a century of peace," he said.

Addressing graduating officers and non-commissioned officers, Erdoğan said they would play an important role in protecting security and stability across the country.

He said security forces would continue their fight against terrorism, organized crime groups, drug traffickers, human smugglers and cybercrime networks "within the rule of law and without compromise."

Erdoğan also highlighted Türkiye's growing military and diplomatic capabilities, saying Ankara is moving forward with firm steps at a time when the international system was facing major upheavals.

"We are reinforcing our military deterrence through our multidimensional diplomatic initiatives and strategic partnerships," he said.

He added that Türkiye is strengthening its long-established institutions, developing its defense industry with domestic engineers and human resources, and seeking to become one of the leading poles of the emerging international system.

Erdoğan also said Türkiye was among the countries taking responsibility for resolving conflicts through peaceful means both in its region and globally.

"Türkiye is one of the countries that defends the rights of the oppressed, speaks the truth without hesitation and stands on the right side of history," he said.

On Friday, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Joint Defense Agreement at a trilateral summit in Mecca, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defense cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.