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Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani said the PKK terrorist organization must leave Syrian Kurds alone and withdraw from northern Syria.
Barzani, speaking on Wednesday at a forum organized by the Middle East Research Institute in Erbil, discussed relations between the KRG and Türkiye, as well as the PKK disarmament process.
Barzani described relations between the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government and Türkiye as "quite friendly."
"We have a very different relationship both politically and economically," Barzani said, adding, "The Kurdish Region will continue to maintain this relationship with Türkiye."
Regarding the process following terrorist organization PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan's Feb. 27 call for "PKK to disarm and dissolve itself," Barzani said he sensed Türkiye's seriousness about the process when he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"When I met with the Turkish president regarding the process that started in Türkiye, whatever its name, I felt that Türkiye is very serious about this," Barzani said.
"Türkiye is very serious. Even if the process is slow or difficult, there is serious determination in Türkiye regarding the conclusion of this process," he added.
Barzani said patience is needed regarding the process, adding, "Even if there are risks, the other side needs to do some things. You cannot end a problem that has been going on for years in one day and night. Sometimes you need to take risks."
Addressing the PKK, Barzani said they should take the risk: "My word is this: Let them take this risk because this is better. Even if the process is slow, risk should be taken."
Barzani said the method of "let's see what the other side does, then we'll take steps" is wrong thinking, stating, "Now we are in such a state that both sides are waiting for the other to take steps."
"This problem cannot be solved with this method. Now, some steps need to be taken. For the process to yield results, the PKK needs to take these steps. I don't want to go into details," he added.
Barzani said they assumed a facilitating role for the process to work, saying, "We talked with Ankara; we also talked with this group (PKK)."
"We asked what role we could play. When the disarmament process started, support was requested from us. We provided the support that was requested from us," Barzani noted.
Emphasizing the importance of the process, Barzani said this is a historic opportunity Kurds should not miss.
"In my opinion, this is a historic opportunity, and Kurds should not miss this," Barzani said.
"Kurds cannot miss this opportunity in any way. Ocalan's messages are very clear and explicit. Qandil also knows exactly what it needs to do. But it is not doing it. Because it is not doing it, hopelessness is occurring. Even Ocalan is becoming hopeless. This is not right," he noted.
Barzani said when it comes to talking, they supposedly say they are committed to what Ocalan says, but when it comes to implementation and practice, they do the exact opposite.
He noted this approach causes great harm to both Kurds and the process.
Barzani said a serious contribution needs to be made to the process, noting, "Now is not the time for these games. These are games that have already been exposed/solved. They need to make efforts for the process not to fail and to yield results."
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Regarding developments in Syria, Barzani called on the PKK/YPG, also known as SDF, to go to Damascus as soon as possible, fly the flag of the new Syria, and see themselves as owners of the political process.
"Open an office in Damascus," Barzani said, adding, "See yourselves as the host. Have an active role in Syria's political process."
Barzani noted they were effective in Baghdad in 2003.
"We went to Baghdad with great importance," Barzani said, adding, "In some cases, we sent Peshmerga forces to build a wall between Sunnis and Shiites. We say the same to our brothers in Syria. Go to Damascus. Damascus is your capital. It is your country. Nothing can be expected. Now I don't know what they are waiting for. What are they waiting to change?"
Barzani addressed what they want from the so-called "Rojava," referring to Syrian Kurds in northern and northeastern Syria.
"We say this: You can manage your own affairs yourselves," Barzani said, adding, "The PKK cannot interfere in your daily affairs. This is their biggest problem."
Barzani concluded his speech by saying the PKK must leave Syrian Kurds alone: "The PKK must leave those in Rojava alone. As long as the PKK does not leave them alone, they cannot get results."
"The PKK must leave them completely alone and must not interfere in their internal affairs in any way. The PKK must give up northern Syria, Rojava."
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