Nechirvan Barzani: PKK Should Approach Peace Process Strategically, 'This Opportunity Should Not Be Missed'

17-02-2025 02:21
Nechirvan Barzani received with a DEM Party delegation in Erbil on February 17, 2025.

Peregraf

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has described the ongoing peace process in Turkey as an "important and historic opportunity," urging the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to adopt a strategic approach. "This opportunity should not be missed," Barzani emphasized in a statement.

"Experience has shown that war and weapons cannot resolve any problem. We have always advocated for peace and for issues to be addressed through dialogue," Barzani stated after meeting with a pro-Kurdish DEM party delegation to discuss the Kurdish issue in Turkey. He emphasized the significance of this moment in achieving a lasting resolution and urged the PKK to engage in negotiations strategically, stressing the importance of fully seizing this opportunity."

Meanwhile, the Imrali delegation conveyed Abdullah Ocalan's special greetings to Barzani and underscored key steps in the peace process. The delegation acknowledged Barzani’s past and present role in supporting peace efforts and encouraged him to continue his contributions to the negotiations.

DEM Party Delegation Meets with Massoud Barzani

On the previous day, a delegation from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Massoud Barzani to discuss Ocalan’s message regarding the peace process. According to Barzani’s office, the discussions covered Turkey's political landscape and the broader implications of Ocalan’s message. Massoud Barzani reaffirmed the need to prioritize peace and called on all sides to intensify efforts toward a successful resolution, expressing his full support for the process.

The DEM Party delegation, which maintains direct contact with Ocalan, includes lawmakers Sirri Sureyya Onder, Pervin Buldan, and Keskin Bayindir. The group plans to visit Sulaymaniyah next to meet with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani.

PKK Receives Ocalan’s Message on Peace Initiative

The PKK has confirmed receipt of a letter from Ocalan regarding the Kurdish peace process. Cemil Bayik, a senior member of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), noted that Ocalan aims to transition the Kurdish struggle from armed conflict to a political resolution. Bayik emphasized that improving Ocalan’s prison conditions is essential to facilitate effective communication and advance the peace process.

Negotiations between the Turkish government, Kurdish political parties, and Ocalan continue in an effort to resolve the decades-long conflict. Informed sources indicate that an agreement may be imminent, with Ocalan expected to make a key announcement regarding the PKK’s potential disarmament.

DEM Party lawmakers met with Ocalan for the second time on January 22, 2025, to relay responses from Turkish political parties regarding the peace process. The PKK leadership has confirmed that Ocalan is actively engaged in the discussions. This follows a significant meeting on December 28, 2024, when pro-Kurdish lawmakers met with Ocalan on Imrali Island. During that meeting, Ocalan reiterated his commitment to reviving the peace process, emphasizing the need for Turkish-Kurdish unity and democratic reforms.

Political Reactions and Future Prospects

In a statement issued by DEM Party lawmakers Onder and Buldan, Ocalan outlined a comprehensive framework for addressing the Kurdish issue and ensuring regional stability. He warned that unresolved grievances, coupled with external influences, necessitate immediate action. Ocalan urged Turkish political parties to adopt an inclusive approach, highlighting the importance of parliamentary involvement and political cooperation.

"The strengthening of Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood is not only a historical responsibility but a decisive necessity for all nations," Ocalan stated, calling for constructive dialogue beyond ideological divisions.

Shifting Dynamics in Turkish Politics

The meeting between Ocalan and pro-Kurdish lawmakers marked the first direct communication since the collapse of the 2014 peace process, which had led to renewed conflict. Ocalan, imprisoned on Imrali Island since 1999, has had limited contact with the outside world. His last family visit was in October 2024, when his nephew, DEM Party lawmaker Omer Ocalan, met him for the first time since 2020.

In a significant shift, the Turkish government has recently softened its stance on Ocalan. MHP leader Devlet Bahceli has suggested allowing Ocalan to address the Turkish parliament to announce the PKK’s dissolution, signaling a potential turning point in relations.

Founded in 1978 with the goal of establishing an independent Kurdish state, the PKK has since shifted its focus to advocating for autonomy within Turkey. It remains designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.

As the successor to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the DEM Party continues to play a critical role in Kurdish political representation and peace negotiations. With Ocalan’s anticipated message to the PKK leadership in Qandil, hopes for renewed dialogue and a path toward lasting peace in Turkey have been rekindled.