[1] In the speech, the prime minister conceded that the Turkish state had made mistakes in the past, used the term “the Kurdish question” and vowed to settle it through more democracy, more citizenship law, and more prosperity.
[3][4][5] The speech also faced heavy criticism by Turkish commentators and the main opposition party CHP, for putting the unity of Turkey in danger.
The AKP, like the other previous major parties, would interpret the Kurdish situation according its program in terms of "terrorism," "foreign provocation," and "underdevelopment."
However, the party program also acknowledged that economic development alone would not be sufficient to overcome the issue, and urged that Turkish citizens be recognized for their cultural uniqueness.
A great state and a strong nation look to the future with confidence by confessing their mistakes and their failures, and with this principle in mind, our government serves the country.
Turkey is Ankara, Istanbul, Konya, Samsun, Erzurum and Diyarbakır, and I want you to know that the scents, colors, voices, music in every place of this country have their own unique taste.
[9]Los Angeles Times and BBC reported that Erdoğan's speech received strong praise from the Kurdish community.
[6][10] Erdoğan's speech was heavily criticized by Turkey's main opposition grouping, the Republican People's Party (CHP), and by many Turkish commentators.
The speech of Erdoğan was warmly welcomed by local politicians, such as Diyarbakır Mayor Osman Baydemir of the pro-Kurdish Democratic People's Party (DEHAP).
At the same time, over 70 unions, chambers of commerce and professional associations in Diyarbakır published a joint declaration of support for the prime minister's speech, as did a group of 50 ethnic Kurdish artists and intellectuals.
[4] Şerafettin Elçi, a veteran Kurdish politician, said that “The challenge facing Erdoğan is to strike a balance between the demands of the military and his nationalist constituents on the one hand and those of the European Union and the Kurds on the other.