Following the release of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call for peace, Massimo D’Alema, the former Prime Minister of Italy, responded favourably, describing the statement as “positive and courageous”, according to ANF News.
D’Alema expressed hope that the Turkish government, particularly President Erdoğan, would seize this opportunity to address the long-standing Kurdish issue. Furthermore, he expressed hope that it would pave the way for the “recognition of the Kurdish people’s rights” on the condition they renounce armed struggle.
The former prime minister has long highlighted Abdullah Öcalan’s pivotal role in addressing the Kurdish issue and his potential to advance peace.
In an interview on 11 February, D’Alema reflected on Öcalan’s 1998 arrival in Italy, whilst he was serving as prime minister, noting that Öcalan sought to bring the Kurdish issue to the European stage. Despite intense pressure from both Turkey and the United States, D’Alema ensured Öcalan’s safety and refused extradition, in line with Italy’s strong opposition to the death penalty.
In another interview, D’Alema underscored Öcalan’s strategic importance, asserting that resolving the Kurdish issue could help strengthen stability across the Middle East, particularly in Turkey and Syria.
D’Alema regards Öcalan as an essential figure in any future peace process, emphasising that addressing the Kurdish issue is vital for broader regional stability. His reflections call for dialogue, compromise, and international cooperation to achieve lasting peace.
