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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Saturday that the PKK terrorist organization's decision to lay down arms will accelerate efforts toward achieving a "Terror-Free Türkiye," marking a significant development in the country's decades-long struggle against terrorism.
"The process will gain momentum as the terrorist organization begins to implement its decision to lay down arms," Erdogan told journalists aboard his presidential aircraft while returning from a visit to Azerbaijan.
"With the complete removal of weapons, blood, and tears from our nation's agenda, a completely new door will open wide before us."
The president confirmed he will meet with a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party next week to discuss steps toward the Terror-Free Türkiye objective.
The meeting will include DEM Party co-chairs Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, alongside Erdogan's delegation consisting of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala and National Intelligence Organization head Ibrahim Kalin.
Erdogan's remarks came following his participation in the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization Summit in Azerbaijan's Khankendi city. The organization, which Türkiye helped establish in 1985, now serves a region spanning 8 million square kilometers with over half a billion people.
During the summit, leaders discussed climate resilience and sustainable development under the theme "New Vision for a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Future."
Erdogan emphasized the organization's role in trade liberalization, logistics infrastructure integration, and customs simplification, particularly as global trade risks increase.
"We advocate for strengthening cooperation to create new opportunities alongside evaluating existing ones," Erdogan said.
"In an atmosphere where commercial costs and risks are increasing, enhancing this cooperation becomes vital."
The president highlighted Erzurum's designation as the 2025 Tourism Capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization, noting that nearly 50 events, including the Winter Games, the Palandoken Economic Forum, and the Gastronomy Fair, have been organized.
Addressing Middle East developments, Erdogan revealed he discussed Gaza's humanitarian crisis during his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the NATO Leaders Summit in The Hague. The Turkish leader urged Trump to intervene in the Gaza process, specifically requesting action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Gaza has no time to lose; humanity is dying in Gaza," Erdogan stated. "The starvation of people and the raining of bombs on them is incompatible with humanity."
The president reported that casualty figures in Gaza have reached 55,000 to 60,000 deaths, with nearly 100,000 wounded. Türkiye continues providing medical treatment for Palestinian patients transferred to Turkish hospitals.
Erdogan expressed cautious optimism about Trump's 60-day temporary cease-fire plan, emphasizing that Western countries, led by the United States, must increase pressure on Israel to ensure compliance. He stressed the importance of establishing guarantees for any cease-fire agreement and ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian aid delivery.
Regarding defense cooperation, Erdogan confirmed ongoing discussions about F-35 fighter jet deliveries to Türkiye, expressing confidence that Trump will honor previous agreements. The president emphasized that Türkiye's primary motivation for acquiring F-35s relates to national security rather than posing threats to allies.
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"We want F-35s primarily for our own security," Erdogan said. "The F-35 issue is not just a military technology matter for us but also concerns a strong partnership in international platforms, especially NATO."
The president dismissed Greek concerns about Türkiye's defense capabilities, noting that NATO's recent decision encourages member countries to strengthen their defense infrastructure.
He characterized Greece's anxiety as "groundless and meaningless," reaffirming that Türkiye poses no threat to countries that do not adopt hostile attitudes.
On Syrian developments, Erdogan outlined Türkiye's support for Syria's reconstruction following the lifting of U.S. and European sanctions. The president emphasized Syria's territorial integrity as a priority and highlighted ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives.
"We can implement models such as free trade zones, logistics bases, and border markets in northern Syria," Erdogan said, while maintaining that any legitimization of terrorist organizations would be unacceptable.
The president also provided updates on the Zangezur Corridor project, describing it as part of a "geoeconomic revolution" that will facilitate Turkish goods reaching Central Asia and China via the Caspian Sea.
He noted that Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has committed to providing natural gas support to Syria, addressing one of the country's critical infrastructure needs.
Erdogan concluded by addressing domestic political developments, rejecting opposition claims about polling data, and affirming the ruling AK Party's position as Türkiye's leading political force. He announced upcoming party activities, including a retreat in Kizilcahamam and nationwide organizational work.
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