Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani Urges PKK to Respond to Öcalan’s Call in Meeting with Erdoğan
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he emphasized the need for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to respond positively to imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan’s calls for peace.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Barzani described the talks as "a very productive" and reiterated the importance of reviving Turkey’s peace process to achieve lasting stability.
"The PKK must respond positively to Mr. Öcalan’s call," Barzani stated, referring to recent signals from the PKK’s founder, who has been imprisoned in Turkey since 1999.
I had a very productive meeting with President @RTErdogan in Antalya.
— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) April 11, 2025
I reiterated the importance of reviving the peace process in Türkiye as a path toward stability and lasting peace. I emphasized this historic opportunity must be seized, and the PKK must respond positively to… pic.twitter.com/CMUu8tNiNo
The two leaders also discussed Erdoğan’s recent meeting with a delegation from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party, which Barzani described as a significant step toward dialogue.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
According to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the meeting covered Turkey’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including the strategic Development Road project—a major transport corridor linking the region to Turkey and beyond.
Both leaders expressed a mutual desire to expand cooperation in areas of shared interest, including trade, security, and regional stability.
Support for the Peace Process
Barzani praised Erdoğan’s efforts in advancing the peace process and affirmed the Kurdistan Region’s readiness to support reconciliation efforts.
"The peace process is a crucial opportunity that must not be missed," Barzani said. "All parties must act responsibly to ensure its success."
The discussions also touched on regional developments, particularly the situation in Syria, where both sides stressed the importance of maintaining stability.
Antalya Diplomacy Forum Highlights
Barzani’s visit comes as part of his participation in the fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2025), themed "Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil." The event has drawn over 4,000 participants, including 20 heads of state, 50 foreign ministers, and representatives from international organizations.
On the forum’s sidelines, Barzani is expected to hold additional meetings with global leaders to discuss economic and security cooperation.
A Renewed Push for Peace?
The meeting between Barzani and Erdoğan signals a potential shift in Turkey’s approach to its long-standing conflict with the PKK. With Öcalan’s recent statements calling for a political solution, regional leaders are urging armed factions to lay down their weapons and engage in dialogue.
Observers suggest that Barzani’s mediation could play a key role in facilitating negotiations, though challenges remain in reconciling Turkey’s security concerns with Kurdish political demands.
As the forum continues until April 13, further developments on regional diplomacy and the Turkey-PKK peace process are anticipated.
