President Masoud Barzani on Monday, May 12, welcomed the decision of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disband and disarm, following a call from the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan for the group to lay down their arms.

“It is a source of joy that in the peace resolution process in Turkiye, the involved parties have shown a positive stance and taken serious steps toward a peaceful resolution. The PKK has also held its congress and made a number of decisions,” President Barzani said.

“We hope this process will lead to a positive outcome and serve the interests and well-being of the region and all parties involved. We express our full support for the success of this process in every possible way.”

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also welcomed the decision of the PKK to disband and disarm.

“This step reflects political maturity and lays the groundwork for genuine dialogue, which will promote coexistence and stability in Turkiye and the wider region,” President Nechirvan Barzani stated.

“The present moment is crucial, and there is a collective anticipation that this significant action will be met with further constructive measures from all involved parties. It will foster an environment conducive to enduring and comprehensive peace, ultimately bringing an end to years of conflict and hardship while guiding the region toward new avenues of advancement.”

President Nechirvan Barzani added that, in acknowledging the contributions of Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his commitment to ensuring the success of this process, “we reaffirm the Kurdistan Region’s unwavering support for all endeavors aimed at achieving peaceful conflict resolution.

“We hope that this initiative marks a significant turning point and wish to convey our complete readiness to provide any necessary support to facilitate the success of this historic opportunity.”

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Last year in October, Devlet Bahceli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party, called on PKK leader 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).”