In a landmark statement before members of the ruling "AK" party in the capital Ankara, the head of state emphasized the exceptional significance of the voluntary weapon surrender process by Kurdish fighters. Thirty militants symbolically burned their weapons at the entrance of a cave in northern Iraq, marking a turning point in the long-standing conflict.
Erdogan categorically stated that terrorism is entering its final phase of termination, describing the events as opening a new historical page. According to him, this process unites the Turkish nation and creates prerequisites for large-scale democratic transformations.
Parliament will play a key role in building the legal framework for complete disarmament. The state leader called for maximum broad participation and support from the legislative body in this delicate process.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party, which has been banned since 1984, decided to self-dissolve and end the separatist struggle in May. This came after a public appeal from its long-imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan.
Experts define the current initiative as extremely important, as previous attempts at a peaceful agreement were unsuccessful. The conflict has claimed the lives of over 40,000 people and caused serious economic and social damage to Turkey and the entire region.
Ankara is taking concrete steps to form a parliamentary commission that will monitor the disarmament process and subsequent integration of fighters into democratic political life.
The international community is observing with heightened interest this unprecedented initiative, which could lay the groundwork for lasting reconciliation between the Turkish state and the Kurdish minority.