Following his meeting with the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), Barzani emphasized Erbil’s readiness to assist this “important and historic” process, pledging “assistance and support” to ensure its success, according to a statement by the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
Barzani called on all sides to “work toward the success of the peace efforts and the Kurdish-Turkish brotherhood.” He urged the PKK to approach the negotiations “strategically” and to “avoid missing this opportunity.”
During the meeting, the DEM Party delegation conveyed “messages” from Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK leader who is jailed in Turkey, as well as his “praise and appreciation” of Barzani’s support of the peace process. The DEM Party had met Ocalan twice in recent months and their delegation to Erbil included two of the PKK leader's lawyers.
In a previous statement on Sunday, Barzani commented on Ocalan’s much-anticipated historic message stating, "We expect it to be a message of peace and stability for Turkey, and one that is largely directed to the PKK."
DEM on February 8 stated that Ocalan is preparing to make a "historic call" for a comprehensive and permanent solution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey, with the aim of promoting the establishment of a democratic Turkey.
Observers believe the PKK leader might ask the armed group to lay down its arms. On its part, the PKK has stated that it will not heed any such calls from Ocalan unless he physically meets with their leadership and is released from jail.
Barzani also thanked Ankara on Sunday, for its "very serious" approach to the peace process, emphasizing that the issues between Turkey and the PKK should be resolved “politically and through peace” and “not through conflict.”
The Kurdistan Region’s remarks on Sunday came hours after the delegation had met with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani. The delegation conveyed details of their meetings with Ocalan to the KDP leader, who reiterated that renewed peace talks are the only viable path to resolving the Kurdish issue.
Keskin Bayindir, co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Regions Party (DBP) who accompanied the DEM Party’s delegation to Erbil, on Monday described the meetings with the Kurdistan Region’s president and the KDP leader as “very important” and “with very good outcomes.” He emphasized that the peace efforts between Turkey and the PKK “are not only significant for the future of the Kurds, but for the entire Middle East.”
Following its meetings in Erbil, the delegation is set to meet with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani and the Kurdistan Region’s Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani in Sulaimani.
In recent months, the DEM Party has ramped up efforts to mediate peace between Turkey and the PKK. While the details of the peace process remain unclear, the party has stressed its aim to bring lasting peace to the region.
Founded in 1978, the PKK initially called for the establishment of an independent Kurdistan but now advocates for autonomy. Turkey, the European Union, and the United States classify the group as a terrorist organization.
