Tehran: Iran on Sunday welcomed the disarmament process of the PKK terrorist organization, as announced by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Speaking at a joint news conference alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is visiting Tehran, Araghchi underscored Iran's support for Trkiye's initiative to eliminate terrorism from the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Araghchi highlighted the regional threat posed by terrorism and reiterated Iran's commitment to a terror-free process in collaboration with Trkiye. He also touched upon the importance of trade relations between the two nations, expressing Iran's willingness to extend the gas agreement with Trkiye and enhance cooperation in the energy sector.
During discussions with Fidan, the Iranian Foreign Minister proposed several initiatives to bolster bilateral ties, including the opening of a new border crossing, the establishment of trade centers, and the development of a railway connection between the two countries. Furthermore, Araghchi announced plans to host technical experts for preferential trade discussions and indicated that an Iranian consulate would soon be opened in Trkiye's eastern Van province.
The meeting also covered critical regional and global issues, such as the ongoing Iran nuclear negotiations, US sanctions, and collaborative efforts on the Palestinian issue. Araghchi condemned Israel's violation of the ceasefire in Gaza and emphasized that Syria's stability hinges on preserving its territorial integrity, identifying Israel as the primary threat to this goal.
The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Trkiye, the US, and the EU, recently convened its congress in May, where it declared its dissolution. This decision followed a February appeal from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, advocating for an end to the prolonged conflict. On July 11, a group of 30 PKK members, including 15 women, surrendered and symbolically destroyed their weapons in Iraq's Sulaymaniyah province.
In alignment with the disarmament initiative, the Turkish parliament has established the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Committee to assess the political and legal implications of the post-terror era.