ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said on Monday that they welcome the peace progress in Turkey, reiterating their support for “efforts that reduce conflict and promote stability.”

“We welcome progress towards peace and security for the people of Turkey, a close NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] ally and longstanding partner in counterterrorism,” an FCDO spokesperson told The New Region.

Turkey recently entered negotiations with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to bring to an end the conflict between the two sides that has spanned decades and claimed tens of thousands of lives.

“We encourage all parties to engage in a peaceful and constructive process that ensures security, stability, and respect for the rule of law,” the spokesperson added. “The UK remains committed to supporting efforts that reduce conflict and promote stability both in Turkey and across the wider region.”

A proposal in October by Devlet Bahceli, head of the far-right Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), to allow jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to appear before the legislature and declare the dissolution of the PKK, set in motion a series of peace talks between the two sides.

Bahceli’s initiative led to the DEM Party MPs Pervin Buldan and Sirri Sureyya Onder being granted the rare permission to meet with Ocalan at Imrali prison in December amid a shift in Ankara’s stance of prohibiting contact with the PKK founder.

The talks ultimately led to a historic address by Ocalan in late February, calling on the PKK to dissolve itself and lay down their arms.

The PKK in response to Ocalan’s call declared a ceasefire with Turkey on March 1 “in order to pave the way for the realization” of the leader’s call for peace. The Turkish defense ministry, however, said they would not agree to a ceasefire, as it was not Ocalan’s call.

The People’s Defense Forces (HPG) – the PKK’s military wing – on Monday claimed responsibility for shooting down an alleged Turkish drone in Sulaimani province’s Dukan district, accusing Ankara of intensifying its intelligence activities and continuing military actions despite the Kurdish group’s commitment to the “full implementation” of the ceasefire.

Turkey’s defense ministry earlier on Monday told The New Region that they were unaware of the incident and that the drone did not belong to them.