World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) hosts a two-day Socialist International (SI) Council meeting in Istanbul.

The event brings together leaders and delegates from SI member parties, and invited guests and journalists.

The bloodshed in Syria, Geneva II process, Arab Spring and recent Gezi Park protests in Istanbul are on the agenda of the gathering. 

CHP Leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, also vice president of the SI, underlined the importance of taking an active role in resolving political problems through diplomatic ways. 

 "We have an important opportunity for that. This is the Geneva 2 conference, which aims to end the Syrian war. Talking to rivals in the Syrian conflict will show the capacity and power of the Socialist International," he said.

The CHP previously hosted a special SI committee meeting in Istanbul in March 2012 to discuss the Arab Spring.

For his part, SI President George Papandreou pointed out democratic values in the world by saying, "Syrian society demands democracy. Arab Spring was reaction to the authoritarian regimes."

Papandreou also welcomed the agreement on the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria.  

"We all hope the Geneva 2 conference will be successful. We support a political process and solution in Syria.  A military solution cannot exist. I am glad to hear today that the opposition has decided to participate in this process," the SI president added.

On the final day, a declaration will be announced and the date of the next council meeting will also be decided.

Socialist International (SI) is the worldwide organization of social democratic, socialist and labour parties.