ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said that Ankara’s goal of “terror-free Turkey” will “definitely” happen, adding that the process has progressed despite difficulties.

Speaking at a high-level strategic cooperation council meeting on Saturday, the Turkish president said: “We will definitely reach the goal of 'terror-free Turkey' by overcoming all obstacles in dignity.”

Erdogan said that while there are people who pray for the process to succeed, there are also those who are “uncomfortable” with the idea, adding that “Despite these, as well as its own natural issues, the process has progressed until today.”

An ongoing peace process between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has largely stalled following the regional unrest that developed in late February, with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan not having received any visits for over a month.

“We are determined, we will not make those who do not want a 'terror-free Turkey’ happy. We are determined, we will not give them a chance,” he added.

On February 18, the Turkish parliament approved a report drafted by the committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the process. The report called for not labeling non-violent actions and freedom of expression as “terrorism”, and for the reintegration of members who gave up their weapons back into society.

The process was initiated last year by far-right Turkish politician Devlet Bahceli, who urged jailed Ocalan to address the Turkish parliament and call on his group to disarm.

Ocalan made a historic call from prison in February 2025, which was subsequently followed by the PKK announcing its intention to lay down its arms and dissolve in May.

In a separate speech on the same day, addressing his country’s youth, Erdogan said the peace and wellbeing of Turkey’s youth are within “the range of our target of a terror-free Turkey. We want to implement our terror-free zone vision for you, for your safe future.”

“We want the resources spent to fight terrorism to be spent on education, science, production, employment, transportation and technology," Erdogan said at the Kocaeli Stadium.

Senior PKK commander Murat Karayilan said in late April that Ankara’s demand for full disarmament in exchange for legal steps is “imposing surrender,” further accusing the government of “freezing” the peace process by not implementing necessary steps.

Bahceli said earlier in May that the status of the jailed PKK leader is key to advancing the process. The far-right leader also called on the PKK’s leadership to take on a role in transitioning from armed struggle to politics.