Statement

The Foreign Ministry welcomes the call by the leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, Mr. Abdullah Ocalan, for his party to lay down arms, and considers this a positive and important step in achieving stability in the region.

As well the Ministry considers this initiative as a very important step towards enhancing security not only in Iraq, where armed members of the aforementioned party are present in in different areas of the Iraqi Kurdistan and some other towns and cities, but in the entire region. It emphasizes that political solutions and dialogue are the best way to address differences and end conflicts, to serve the interests of all parties and enhances peaceful coexistence.

The Ministry affirms its support for all efforts aimed at resolving problems through dialogue, and expresses the hope that this call will be translated into practical and rapid steps for the party’s forces to lay down their arms.

The Ministry reiterates the Iraqi government’s commitment to strong relations with neighboring Turkey, which are based on the principles we believe in within the historical and geographical connections, taking into account mutual interests and the principle of non-interference.

Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Iraq

February 27, 2025