Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that the decision to disband the militant group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), was an important step "for preserving peace and brotherhood," and that Ankara would closely follow this process to avoid any problems.
The PKK, which has been in conflict with the Turkish state for more than four decades, has decided to disband and end its armed insurgency. The PKK's decision is expected to have wide-ranging political and security implications for the region, including neighboring Syria, where Kurdish forces are allies of US forces.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said the doors to a new era would open once the PKK surrendered its weapons, calling it an important step towards Ankara's goal of a country free from terrorism.
He added that Turkey sees this step as a process that also includes Kurdish militants in Iraq, Syria and Europe.
The PKK, which has been declared a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, began its insurgency in 1984 with the initial aim of creating an independent Kurdish state.
In recent years, its demands have shifted towards greater autonomy and rights for Kurds within Turkey.
More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict since 1984, when the PKK launched an insurgency.
Turkey and its Western allies have declared the PKK a terrorist organization.
The PKK said the practical process of disbandment and disarmament would be managed and supervised by Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999.
Wladimir van Wilgenburg, a political analyst specializing in Kurdish issues, told Radio Free Europe that the Kurdish community in Turkey was "tired of the conflict and is hoping for peace."
However, he added that Kurds are not sure if they can trust the Turkish government, and wonder whether Ankara will take steps towards reconciliation, such as releasing Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas and recognizing the rights of Kurds.
"So they are somewhat distrustful and unsure about what might happen," van Wilgenburg said.
According to the congress statement, the PKK's struggle "has brought the Kurdish issue to the point of resolution through democratic politics, thus fulfilling its historic mission."
The group did not provide further details on what exactly is meant by this, but van Wilgenburg said it is impossible for PKK commanders to become involved in Turkish politics, given that there is already an active pro-Kurdish party in Turkey – the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).
"Most likely they mean that from now on Kurdish politics will be conducted through legal politics and the Turkish Parliament, not through guerrilla warfare," said Wladimir van Wilgenburg. /REL (A2 Televizion)
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