PKK leader's weekend announcement was warmly received by ordinary people and politicians, who said it would contribute to national peace. NGOs in the southeast, in statements released, said the call would strengthen the belief that the reconciliation process will eventually produce peace.
The announcement of the call for the PKK's disarmament at the reconciliation meeting that took place between the People's Democratic Party (HDP) and Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan on Saturday has been welcomed throughout Turkey by Kurdish people, the Wisemen Committee, ministers and many others.
In the southeastern city of Diyarbakır, people welcomed the call for disarmament and said that it will greatly contribute to the reconciliation process to end Turkey's decades-old conflict with Kurdish insurgents, according to the Anadolu Agency.
Many have expressed their support for the call, while saying that they appreciate the fact that a concrete step will be taken. Representatives from nongovernmental organizations said that the call for disarmament would increase people's hope and belief about reaching a peaceful resolution.
Tahir Elçi, the president of the Diyarbakır Bar Association, said that the goal of disarmament is to speed up the reconciliation process and is a promising step toward peace. Abdurrahim Ay, the president of Mazlum-Der's Diyarbakır branch, highlighted that from now on both sides should resolve the issue through dialogue. Ay also said that the responsibilities of both sides will increase.
Others have also touched on the issue of responsibility and said democratization is a crucial aspect, as the government should take more steps toward removing social, cultural and representational barriers. Members of the Wisemen Committee also welcomed the call for disarmament and saw it as "a clean new page" for Turkish democracy.
