Following Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s ‘Call for Peace and a Democratic Society’ announced on February 27, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) held an extraordinary congress between May 5 and 7 and decided to dissolve the PKK's organizational structure and end the armed struggle and activities carried out under the name of the PKK.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan evaluated the decisions of the PKK's 12th Extraordinary Congress at his party's group meeting on Wednesday.

Erdoğan said, “We have entered a new phase in our efforts to achieve a Turkey free of terrorism. This phase is one of strengthening our unity, brotherhood and march. It is a phase of permanently removing the wall of terrorism that has been built between 86 million people. It is a phase of overcoming the obstacle that has hindered the blossoming of our democracy.”

Erdoğan added, “With its decision, the organization has taken a step in line with the agreement we have made with our nation for coexistence.”

Erdoğan argued that it was ‘vitally important’ for the Syrian and European branches to also participate in this process.

The Turkish president said: “It is of vital importance that the Syrian and European branches also participate in the process of dissolution and disarmament. We want to see the pro-organization lobbies in Europe and other parts of the world supporting our country instead of engaging in anti-Turkey activities. We want Turkey to be associated with technology, culture, art, democratic and humanitarian development standards, not terrorism.”

Expressing his “gratitude” to MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, Erdoğan said, “I would like to thank the late Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who provided great support to the process within the DEM Party, as well as all those who acted with a sense of responsibility, the co-chairs, and the politicians.”

Erdoğan continued: “We expect sensible rhetoric to be maintained in the coming period. We would like to express our appreciation to Mr. Özgür Özel (CHP Chairman) and other political party leaders for their constructive attitude during this process. We would also like to thank the leaders of opposition parties who, despite their distant and even unfavourable stance towards the process, have not strayed from the path of responsible politics.” 

Erdoğan did not comment on what politics must do in the current process and said: “The main thing is implementation (of the PKK decision). The MIT will meticulously follow up on whether promises are kept. When the organization has done its part, it will be up to politics to discuss and advance the remaining issues. I invite everyone to follow the developments without rushing to conclusions and without losing common sense.”