Minister Fidan's first assessment regarding the PKK congress.

09.05.2025 23:50

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commented on the announcement that the terrorist organization PKK has convened its congress and made very important decisions, stating, "As we understand, they are gathering in various forms and trying to form the decisions of the general congress. It seems that we will be in a waiting position for a while to hear the organization's response to this historic call."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, made evaluations during a live broadcast program regarding the announcement that the terrorist organization PKK has convened its congress and made very important decisions.

Minister Fidan stated the following on the matter:

"FOR A WHILE LONGER, WE WILL BE IN A POSITION TO WAIT FOR THIS TO BE UNDERSTOOD"

"Turkey's history of fighting terrorism is evident, and especially since the years when our president was the prime minister, there has been a serious struggle of will by the AK Party governments to advance democracy and improve the country's security while using both national ideologies and national technologies, as well as national decision-making mechanisms to bring this issue to a certain point.

As we look at the current situation, the organization has gone through a preparatory process for a congress in response to the historical call of Mr. Bahçeli and the unwavering, great encompassing will of our president. This has been a process that has continued for the last two weeks. They are gathering in various forms and are trying to create the decision for the general congress, as far as we understand. Today, it was reported that these would be announced, but it seems we will be in a position to wait for a while longer to hear the organization's response to this historical call.

"THIS DUALITY MUST COME TO AN END"

Here, everyone genuinely wants to be good and optimistic. In fact, at the point we have reached in Turkey, the historical social cohesion, national unity, brotherhood, and the state of our democracy allow our people to advance their agendas through politics and have the opportunities they desire without any discrimination. This has already eliminated the ground for terrorism in Turkey. However, in neighboring countries where there is a lack of democracy or stability, the organization can still find a place for itself. In other words, the organization experiences this duality differently in Turkey compared to its existence in other countries. Therefore, this duality must come to an end.

At this point, of course, our expectation is for a positive response, but as I have expressed in my previous statements, we are making all our preparations for both our democratic march and our country's struggle for independence and national unity, taking into account our own resources and efforts. However, a positive response from here would certainly be an extremely important matter for us. Especially when we compare it to the previous period, the dynamic conditions on the ground were different. The capabilities and resources Turkey had in its fight against terrorism, technology, intelligence, and operational capabilities were more limited. Over time, the advancement of these capabilities has become extremely important.

"EVERYONE MUST WORK TO BUILD A GROUND WHERE PEOPLE CAN ADVANCE THEIR POLITICS IN A CIVILIZED MANNER"

Over time, especially the infrastructure and superstructure investments brought to every part of Turkey and the absence of discrimination have allowed economic prosperity to be shared by everyone, and the uninterrupted functioning of democracy has put us in a very advantageous position regarding both our democratic stance and the distance we have covered in security. This is actually a point that facilitates the organization's decision-making process. The organization leader, Öcalan, also made this call from the island, essentially taking all these conditions into account. There is a call for the congress to convene, for the organization to dissolve itself, to lay down arms, and to end illegality by finding life in a legal framework. For everyone to work towards building a ground where there will be no weapons, where illegality will end, and where people can advance their politics in a civilized manner.

Ending illegality means this: simply laying down arms is not enough. After people lay down their arms, in modern times, they cannot roam around with armed elements in groups of three or four in a place with such air superiority. Organizations shift their capabilities and resources to cities. When necessary, illegal organizations must have elements ready to use weapons, and the intelligence structures of these illegal entities must be eliminated. A democratic, transparent, and accountable organizational model that everyone can see is provided for all political parties, associations, foundations, and civil society organizations in Turkey. It is not an easy decision for the organization, as there are many factions within it, but there is an expectation for the clear stance of the organization leadership on this issue to find a response. With that, the agenda can be advanced.

"WE NEED TO BUILD A REGION WHERE THERE IS NO ARMED STRUGGLE, AND EVERYONE SHARES FREEDOM"

This is not an easy decision for the organization. It is a matter with many factions within it, but there is an expectation for the clear stance of the organization leadership on this issue to find a response. As I said, we are also in a positive expectation, but not having it does not mean the end of life. We are already in a struggle against a situation that is not positive. Our social unity, our democracy, our struggle... But if this happens, it would really lead to innocent people, innocent youths going to the mountains, bloodshed, and social unity being constantly under threat, and the establishment of a more advanced regional order... This will also affect Iraq and Syria. There are significant investments expected there, just like in Turkey. On one hand, there is a path of development, and now a new order is being established in Syria. We need to build a region where there is no armed struggle, where everyone respects each other, shares prosperity, and shares freedom.

WHAT WILL BE THE ATTITUDE OF COUNTRIES SUPPORTING THE PKK?

It is evident that the organization has been used as a proxy by foreigners during the process, serving to stay afloat and providing services to other countries outside its primary purpose. This is a matter that has been proven a thousand times. I do not think the people in the organization are very satisfied with this anymore; continuing their existence by serving other countries is a matter that can be debated in terms of how honorable that stance is. Therefore, they need to be in a decision-making process that will create a situation according to the new existing conditions. Now, what will be the situation of other countries? Of course, the PKK's current state of being in a position to 'bleed' Turkey is a situation that certain countries, which see Turkey as a competitor in the regional race, are aware of. There are countries that think that this bleeding in Turkey is causing Turkey to suffer losses.

It is beneficial for many countries when a country with high potential like Turkey, which is realizing its potential day by day under the strong leadership of our president, experiences a loss of blood. We will overcome these challenges.

"WE WILL SEE HOW IT REFLECTS ON THEIR FEET IN SYRIA AND IRAQ"

"We are acting on the principle that the fundamental decisions regarding Syria should be made by the Syrians; this is an important issue. What is important for us is that armed terrorist elements that have affected Turkey from the beginning are not present in the region. Now, if the PKK decides to disband and lay down its arms, we will see together over time how this will reflect on its branches in Syria and Iraq. Right now, I do not want to preemptively address existing potential issues by making some advanced comments and interpretations, but we see all of this, we discuss it, and we have many alternative scenarios. We are coming together a lot. Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defense, we present these issues to our president.

We are ready for all alternative issues in this regard, but as I said, the political will is actually beyond the expectation of fighting terrorism; it is extremely important for Turkey's own historically unique social fabric to be reflected in social politics. Therefore, I think the symbolism of this issue is also extremely important. In practice, we have already carried out both the security struggle against terrorism and the struggle for democracy that we need to present. From now on, as I said, it is about creating an environment where people can work together for a better Turkey with symbolism.

There is a serious slippery ground in Syria and Iraq. Now, in order to generally improve this slippery ground, Turkey is really pursuing a very constructive foreign policy. We are approaching it very holistically; we do not only consider our own issues. We have always been aware as a government from the beginning: If you do not have a constructive mindset regarding the entire country, if you do not have an inclusive mindset, dealing with any piece of the problem there does not bring you anything. Even if you try for 30 years, you cannot achieve anything. You need to have a vision and an inclusive understanding directed towards the entire country. This could be Iraq, Syria, or another problematic country, but right now, as you saw, the Iraqi Prime Minister was also in Turkey yesterday; Iraq is really moving towards a point that focuses more on stability and social services every passing day. We are also encouraging this. Iraq, Syria, and certain regions of Turkey are not places where regional conflicts and armed conflicts occur, unlike in other parts of the world, like in the West, because we have the means, we have the resources, and we have a superior civilization. Why shouldn't we establish a political system and a peace environment that satisfies everyone?