Turkey: on the path to lasting peace with the Kurds?
In July 2025, after more than 40 years of civil war, the PKK has symbolically laid down its arms. Reconciliation with the Kurds is now to be placed on a legal footing, and Turkey has announced that is preparing the legal framework for a peace process that will regulate disarmament, returns and reintegration. The speaker of Turkey's parliament, Numan Kurtulmuş, called for Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood.
Trust must be earned
Successful reconciliation will depend on a calm and pragmatic approach, not lofty words, comments peace researcher Alpaslan Özerdem in Yetkin Report:
“Parliament can pass a law. The state can build institutions. Öcalan can launch an appeal. The PKK can announce its disarmament. Political leaders can talk about fraternity. But none of that will create lasting peace if it fails to foster trust within society. This process does not need more slogans; it will require steps that can be verified by both sides, clear legal rules and the steady building of trust. Because fraternity can be declared, but trust must be earned.”
The state could push for reconciliation
Habertürk is cautiously optimistic and also sees a potential for peace-building beyond Turkey's borders:
“It is understandable that observers of this process might be seized by doubt. Concern for the country's future is certainly not a sentiment that should be taken lightly. Yet, for all its shortcomings, Turkey is strong enough to embrace these sensitivities and deal with them tactfully. ... If we focus on new perspectives, horizons and insights, on what we stand to gain from a Turkey and a region free from terrorism – it will nourish our hope and transform the raison d'etat into a force for peace across the entire region.”