Bringing back a diplomatic solution is much more needed for Stability in the region then the military option that goes out of reach, the representatives from People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM Party) continued their meetings with a visit to Irbil from President of Kurdistan Head of Democratic Party Massoud Barzani.
The meeting, held at Barzani’s house at Salahuddin District, focused on the decades-old armed conflict between the PKK and Türkiye and what paths may lead to the PKK’s disarmament and dissolution.
According to sources familiar with the talks, the DEM delegation, headed by co-chairs Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder, briefed Barzani on their recent conversations with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who continues to serve a life sentence at İmralı Island prison in the Marmara Sea.
“These talks mark a crucial point in the peace process,” Rizan Hamo, a Kurdish political analyst interviewed by our correspondent, said. “Barzani’s participation gives weight to the initiative given his historical significance in Kurdish politics and his tessellated relationships with various regional actors.”
The meeting reportedly lasted three hours. During that time, Barzani provided his rationale for how to foster the eventual disarmament of the PKK, given, firstly, the political grievances underlying the whole scenario that must be duly addressed. Details were reportedly held in strict confidence, but attendees characterized the atmosphere as “constructive” and “forward-looking.”
According to the DEM Party statement, the delegation approached Barzani for counseling on the disarmament process due to his long-time involvement in Kurdish matters and regional diplomacy.
“President Barzani’s input is something we cherish,” said the DEM Party spokesman after the assembly. “His historical perspective and understanding of the nuanced relationships between Kurdish communities across borders makes his contribution to this process invaluable.”
The diplomatic processes are still ongoing with the DEM delegation meeting the current KRG President Nechirvan Barzani in Irbil on February 17. Following very closely on the heels of this meeting comes another significant endeavor-more important, having talked with Nechirvan Barzani just days before the Munich Security Conference in Germany with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan.
The delegation will travel from Irbil to Sulaymaniyah to meet with Kurdistan Patriotic Union officials Bafel Talabani and Qubad Talabani as part of their complete regional consultation program.
Since these political moves have generated interest among local experts regarding growing efforts to settle an enduring regional conflict through diplomatic means instead of military activities.
Dr. Mariam Khader from the Center for Regional Security Studies believes that the present talks indicate a possible window of opportunity. Political conditions in the Middle East have evolved so that progress becomes possible which failed in earlier attempts.
Moving forward through ongoing diplomatic interaction represents the path toward resolving a conflict which has been a leading cause of human death and destabilization across the entire region.
