Different Approaches to the Definition of the Kurdish Problem and the Failure of Peace Process

The second peace process which started in 2013 ended abruptly in the summer of 2015. The AKP government accuses the PKK for betraying the peace process and re-starting armed attacks against the Turkish security personnel. In contrast the Kurdish political movement argues that it was the AKP who ended the peace process. According to them HDP’s adamant opposition to the presidentialism of Erdogan has led Erdogan to end the peace process. In either case both sides accuse each other for not being sincere in the peace process. This might be true but to limit the failure of Kurdish opening to the insincerity of the actors would be reductionist and misleading. It is also harmful as it will conceal the deeper problems with regard to the solution of the Kurdish problem. This article argues that at the current stage main difficulty in the solution of Kurdish problem is finding a common ground on the meaning-extent of Kurdish recognition as well as the political implications of such a recognition. Whether the peace process will restart or when it will restart is another contentious topic in Turkish politics. However, without taking adequate considerations beforehand such a restart is also doomed to fail.