ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Vice President of Turkey Cevdet Yilmaz says the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) should hasten the laying down of arms, describing the PKK’s decision to dissolve as “an important success” for Ankara, while adding that a century after its foundation, Turkey needs “a civil constitution.”

 Last month, the PKK announced its decision to dissolve and disband, bringing an end to an insurgency that lasted over four decades, following months of negotiations.

The PKK’s announcement came after a February call from Ocalan, who urged the party to lay down arms and disband, asserting that it was time for the Kurdish struggle to transition to a dialogue-based, democratic, and political arena.

"This is an important success of the Republic of Turkey,” Yilmaz said of the PKK's historical declaration to disband on Tuesday during an interview with a local TV channel. "This process has also come to the agenda with the vision of the Century of Turkey put forward by our President [Erdogan]."

"We have now entered a very important period. Turkey will now enter a very different atmosphere. Terrorism will be completely and permanently off the agenda,” Yilmaz detailed.

 He continued, "Terrorism is the enemy of development and democracy. Where there is terrorism, you have no freedom, you cannot live your basic rights. An environment without terrorism creates a very different atmosphere."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heralded the advances made following the disbandment of the PKK during a message to Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha over the weekend.

"We will hopefully bring this auspicious process, which will strengthen the eternal brotherhood of 86 million, to success without allowing any obstacle in its way,” Erdogan stated in a video message posted on X. "We will work non-stop until we make the Century of Turkey the century of brotherhood, democracy, prosperity, development, and peace in our entire country."

Long designated a terrorist organization by Ankara and its Western allies, the PKK has been an armed group fighting for increased Kurdish rights in Turkey for decades, predominantly engaging in armed conflict with Turkish forces from the mountainous borders of the Kurdish Region in Iraq and Syria.

 The recent significant developments across Turkey’s political landscape offer hope to millions in Turkey and beyond—Turks and Kurds alike—who have endured decades of bloody conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Turkey’s Constitution

Turkey has rewritten its constitution three times so far. The 1924 constitution, adopted after the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, replaced the 1876 Ottoman constitution. It emphasized a centralized and unified state, with a strong focus on secularism and nationalism under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The 1961 constitution was drafted by the generals following the 1960 military coup. After the 1971 military coup, the 1961 constitution underwent extensive amendments. The 1982 constitution was written after the 1980 military coup under the supervision of the generals. It is described as diminishing the characteristics of any party that adheres to it.

The constitution concentrates Turkish power in the executive branch and restricts the freedoms and rights of minorities. Turkey's current constitution, which mirrors the 1982 military constitution, has faced criticism for limiting cultural and political freedoms compared to the 1961 and 1970 constitutions. Notably, it denies the existence of ethnic minorities such as the Kurds.

"First of all, we need to determine this. Our current constitution is a coup constitution,” the Turkish vice president stated. "Turkey is no longer the old Turkey."

He added, "Turkey needs to get rid of the shame of this coup constitution, and a civil constitution needs to be made. This is a matter above parties. A civil and libertarian constitution suits Turkey. The new constitution will be guided by common sense and conscience."