UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s announcement that it will disband its organisational structure and end its decades-long armed struggle. The move, Guterres stated, could mark a turning point in the peaceful resolution of a protracted conflict in Turkey and the wider region.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General during a UN press briefing on Monday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said:
“The Secretary-General welcomes the news of the decision of the PKK to dissolve and disarm. This decision, if implemented, represents another important step towards the peaceful resolution of a long-standing conflict.”
Dujarric also addressed reports in Turkish media suggesting that the disarmament would be carried out under the auspices of the United Nations, clarifying that, according to consultations with the UN Mission in Iraq, “That is not the case.” However, he emphasised the UN’s openness to support the peace process, stating:
“The UN stands ready to help and facilitate any movement toward peace, but we do not need to impose ourselves if our involvement is not helpful.”
He added that the Secretary-General had not been in direct contact with Turkish or Kurdish parties as of Monday morning, and reiterated that any sustainable peace process must be inclusive of all relevant actors: “We’ve welcomed the announcement. Let’s see how we and the international community can help the process along.”
The announcement from the PKK, made following its 12th Congress, has drawn significant international attention and support. The European Commission and the German government were among the first to welcome the development, describing it as a positive signal for democratisation and peaceful dialogue in Turkey. Political parties such as Sinn Féin in Ireland and Die Linke in Germany also issued statements of solidarity and offered support for ensuring the success of the process.
Additionally, several members of the Party of European Socialists expressed their willingness to contribute to the facilitation of a democratic resolution, calling on Turkish authorities to seize this historic opportunity to open political channels for dialogue and legal reforms, including steps to address the status of imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.
The international community’s early responses indicate cautious optimism for what could become a new chapter in Turkey’s long-standing Kurdish question — one based on peace, inclusivity, and democratic transformation.
