The following assessment report was prepared for DPI by Izzet Akyol, a writer and researcher. This paper explores dividends of peace in Turkey as well as analyzing the effect of conflict on the economy growth of the country. Akyol provides a socio-political overview about the political and economic rationalization in Turkey and examines literature from various other scholars in the field and presents the argument that if the Kurdish issue is resolved and sustainable peace is brought to Turkey, Turkey will experience economic growth in various sectors, and bring political stability to the country. The report offers examples of how the Kurdish conflict has negatively influenced the economy, for example in Foreign Direct Investment, infrastructure, tourism and has a significant human cost, not only in loss of life but also in trauma that is carried for generations. Akyol presents figures to show how resolving the Kurdish issue in Turkey will benefit the state, economically, sociologically, and politically. The views and opinions expressed in the report remain those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DPI.
This assessment report which is available here in Turkish and English was funded by the Norwegian, Irish and Swiss governments.