Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Thursday that efforts to establish a “terror-free Türkiye” had strengthened the country's regional position, urging political parties to overcome polarization and build consensus on national issues.

Speaking at the opening of the fifth legislative year of the 28th term of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Erdoğan said the initiative had gained strategic importance amid escalating regional tensions.

“In our region that has of late turned into a ring of fire, the terror-free Türkiye efforts have already created a deterrent effect upon Türkiye’s adversaries and have multiplied Türkiye’s strength and ushered in a new era,” he said.

Erdoğan said terrorism had drained Türkiye's resources and weakened its economy, domestic stability and foreign policy position during more than four decades of conflict.

He said the latest developments marked a turning point, citing the reported decision by the outlawed terrorist organization PKK to dissolve itself and disarm, as well as parliamentary support for a framework law related to the process.

Erdoğan said the framework law had received 467 votes in parliament, describing the outcome as a sign of broad political consensus.

The president urged political parties to move beyond confrontation and focus on cooperation, saying regional and global developments required a different approach to domestic politics.

“Conflict and polarization must give way to reconciliation and tolerance,” he said, calling for a political culture based on consensus while acknowledging that differences of opinion were essential to democracy.

Erdoğan described the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen national unity, which he referred to as the “fortification of the home front” and the “Great Türkiye Consensus.”

He thanked Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli for supporting the process and also acknowledged contributions from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and other parliamentary groups.

Erdoğan said relevant state institutions would take the necessary steps once the conditions set out in the framework law and its monitoring process had been met.

Erdoğan said progress toward a Türkiye free of terrorism and internal conflict could create better conditions for democratic reforms and political dialogue.

He added that a more stable environment would make it easier for political parties to address disagreements respectfully and develop solutions.

“I believe the conditions for Türkiye to make a new, democratic, participatory, libertarian and civilian constitution will mature even further,” he said.

The initiative to establish a “terror-free Türkiye” has become a major focus of domestic politics, with the government presenting it as an effort to end decades of conflict and strengthen national unity. Its implementation remains tied to further steps by the relevant parties and state institutions. (ILKHA)