Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed the symbolic laying down of arms by 30 Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members during a ceremony attended by the PKK leadership and representatives from the Kurdistan Region, as well as various Turkish politicians, media figures, and agencies in Sulaymaniyah.

“This represents yet another significant and uplifting advancement in the peace process. We are confident that this development will elevate the process to a new phase and be followed by additional practical measures that will move it forward in a positive direction,” Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said.

“On this occasion, we reaffirm our unwavering dedication to supporting the success of the peace process. To this end, as always, we stand ready to provide all necessary assistance and resources and to undertake any responsibilities entrusted to us.

“The peace process is unfolding during a particularly delicate period for the region, requiring all involved parties to exert their utmost efforts to achieve peace. In a peaceful environment, everyone benefits, and the triumph of peace will serve the interests of Turkiye, the entire region, and all individuals.”

He also extended his appreciation to Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his initiatives, support, and dedication to ensuring the success of the peace process. “Additionally, we acknowledge and respect the contributions of Mr. Bahceli, Mr. Ocalan, and all individuals committed to the pursuit of peace.”

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Last year in October, Devlet Bahceli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party, called on PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to address Turkiye’s parliament and declare the end of the armed struggle of the PKK.

This resulted in discussions in Turkiye over a new peace process. On February 27, a statement released by Ocalan called on the PKK to lay down its arms in response to “the call made by Bahceli, along with the will expressed by President Erdogan.”

On Wednesday, in a video message before the disarmament ceremony, Ocalan underlined that the “establishment of a mechanism to lay down the arms will take the process forward. What has been done is a voluntary transition from the phase of Armed Struggle to the phase of Democratic Politics and Law.”