The German Foreign Ministry officially released a statement on 27 February after imprisoned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan called on the PKK disarm. The Ministry stressed that while the cessation of violence is a crucial first step, further measures are needed to find a sustainable solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey. This includes ensuring and respecting the cultural and democratic rights of Kurds in Turkey.
The Ministry described the move as a “historic opportunity” to end the cycle of violence that has claimed tens of thousands of lives in recent decades.
“An end to violence is a crucial first step, but further measures are needed to create a sustainable solution for the people of Turkey,” the Ministry stated. This includes ensuring and respecting the cultural and democratic rights of Kurds in Turkey.
Der Aufruf von Abdullah #Öcalan die PKK aufzulösen und die Waffen niederzulegen, öffnet ein Fenster, um die jahrzehntelange Spirale aus Terror, Gewalt und Vergeltung zu durchbrechen. Diese historische Chance darf nicht ungenutzt verstreichen.
Statement: https://t.co/UolCZSyGGJ— Auswärtiges Amt (@AuswaertigesAmt) February 27, 2025
The statement also underlined the key role of the Turkish parliament in shaping and institutionalising a political solution to the long-standing conflict. The German government reiterated its willingness to support efforts to promote peace in the region.
Meanwhile German President Olaf Scholz emphasised that the PKK, banned as a terrorist organisation in Germany, has caused “far too many victims” over the decades. “Öcalan’s call finally offers a chance to overcome this violent struggle and achieve lasting peaceful development regarding the Kurdish issue,” he said.
Öcalan’s call has provoked wider political reactions in Germany and across Europe. Jan van Aken, co-leader of the German Left Party (Die Linke), has called on the German government to support the peace process, including lifting the ban on the PKK and facilitating Öcalan’s release. Germany has a history of cracking down on Kurdish organisations under anti-terror laws, a policy long criticised by Kurdish activists for stifling legitimate political movements.
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The European Union has also welcomed Öcalan’s statement, with the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey, Nacho Sánchez Amor, calling it a ‘historic step’ towards peace and democracy. The EU has consistently called for a political solution to the Kurdish conflict and urged Ankara to adopt democratic reforms, including granting greater recognition to Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights.
With Öcalan’s latest appeal shifting the debate towards non-armed political solutions, Germany and the EU are facing increasing calls to revise their policies on the Kurdish issue.
Öcalan’s call for disarmament comes amid renewed discussions about a possible peace process between the Turkish state and the PKK. While there has been no official response from Ankara, analysts see the development as a significant step towards the resumption of negotiations that collapsed in 2015.
While there has been no official reaction from the Turkish government or the PKK leadership, the movement signalled earlier this month that it was ready to transform itself in accordance with Öcalan’s instructions.
