During the visit of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) delegation from Turkiye to Erbil, President Masoud Barzani stressed that ten years of dialogue are better than one hour of war.

He also underlined that problems cannot be solved through violence and conflict, but rather through political struggle, dialogue, mutual acceptance, and diplomacy.

This comes following a disarmament ceremony in Sulaymaniyah where 30 Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters laid down their weapons.

Moreover, the DEM Party delegation praised President Barzani for his support of the peace process and conveyed a message and request from the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan asking President Barzani to visit him.

In response, he said that such a visit could take place when the appropriate conditions allow.

President Barzani also called on all political parties in Kurdistan to support the peace process in Turkiye.

The peace process started last year in October, when Devlet Bahceli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), called on PKK leader Ocalan to address Turkiye’s parliament and declare the end of the armed struggle of the PKK.

Furthermore, in a post on X, Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Mansrour Barzani welcomed the peace process and the first step of the PKK laying down arms. “I hope that all parties will commit to achieving genuine peace and a new era of coexistence and stability.”

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also met with the DEM Party delegation, during which he commended the disarmament of the PKK and expressed appreciation for the commitment demonstrated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan toward advancing the peace process.

Both sides emphasized that achieving peace serves the interests of all parties, including Turkiye and the broader region. 

The delegation expressed gratitude to President Nechirvan Barzani for his support for today’s disarmament ceremony.