There is no negotiations with terrorists, main approach is to abolish PKK: AK Party Spokesperson

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has reiterated its firm stance against terrorism, stating that Türkiye will not engage in negotiations with terrorist organizations and remains committed to eliminating the terrorist organization PKK and its affiliates.

Türkiye’s stance on terrorism: No negotiations, full eradication

Speaking at a press conference following the party’s Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting, chaired by President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan, AK Party spokesperson Omer Celik emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts toward a “terror-free Türkiye.”

“Our President, in his speech at the beginning of our MYK meeting, once again underscored the importance of carrying out efforts with utmost diligence to achieve a Türkiye free of terrorism,” Celik said.

Highlighting the broader regional implications of counterterrorism efforts, Celik stated that Türkiye’s stance extends beyond its borders. “The message Türkiye conveys—reinforcing the unity of Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Alevis, and Sunnis within the country—has also served as a meaningful reference on a global scale,” he said.

He added that the country’s vision includes not only a terror-free Türkiye but also a terror-free Syria and Iraq. He further noted that Türkiye remains highly vigilant against provocations and political sabotage attempts from both certain states and proxy forces.

Türkiye rejects terrorism in any form

Addressing the broader implications of the fight against terrorism, Celik clarified Türkiye’s non-negotiable stance, “The principles we follow are clear: the PKK, PYD, YPG, or SDG—whatever name they go by—must be disarmed, dissolved, and eradicated. These groups are not legitimate political entities but tools of instability in the region,” he said.

He stressed that Türkiye does not only reject terrorism within its borders but also opposes any form of terrorist activity in neighboring Iraq and Syria.

“As Türkiye, we do not accept terrorist formations in our own country, and we certainly will not tolerate them in Iraq, Syria, or anywhere else in our region,” he added.

“The disarmament of the terrorist organization, its dissolution, and, of course, the elimination of all its elements, extensions, and branches in Iraq and Syria. Whether it is called the PKK, PYD, YPG, or even if it operates under another umbrella as the SDF, our fundamental approach is to remove all these terrorist structures from being a destabilizing force in the region,” he said.

Celik dismissed any speculation regarding Türkiye’s stance on terrorism and reiterated that the country will not engage in negotiations with groups classified as terrorist organizations.

We are closely monitoring the entire process. The messages conveyed from within Türkiye regarding a terror-free Türkiye, with the overwhelming majority of the political sphere supporting this stance, have become a meaningful point of reference from a global perspective.

Türkiye’s message, aimed at strengthening its internal front by reinforcing Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood as well as the unity of Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Alevis, and Sunnis, serves as the foundation of a broader vision.

This vision seeks to prevent terrorist organizations from being exploited by various imperialist projects against the region’s people within the framework of the goal of a terror-free Türkiye. Naturally, this approach extends to the idea of a terror-free Syria and a terror-free Iraq, ultimately encompassing the entire region and the broader Middle East.

AK Party Spokesperson Omer Celik

Türkiye will not allow foreign interference in security policies

Celik warned that external actors have repeatedly attempted to sabotage Türkiye’s counterterrorism efforts.

“Every time efforts are made to disarm and dismantle terrorist groups, certain foreign powers that have vested interests in their existence intervene. We have seen this before, and we remain fully aware of such attempts,” he stated.

He emphasized that Türkiye’s position is rooted in its own national security interests, not in external agendas.

“Some foreign actors attempt to reshape the regional order under the guise of security initiatives. However, these projects do not serve the interests of the people in the region—they only serve imperialist ambitions,” he said.

Celik accused foreign actors of using terror organizations to implement geopolitical strategies in the region. “There are those who seek to change the framework established by Sykes-Picot but aim to do so in a way that harms the local population, seizing their wealth and undermining their security. Intelligence agencies and proxy forces aligned with such states have consistently taken steps to derail counterterrorism initiatives,” he stated.

No compromise on national integrity

Celik also addressed speculation about political negotiations with terrorist groups, rejecting any notion of compromise. “There is no negotiation process regarding the nature of our state or the values of our nation. The character of our state and the values of our people encompass all citizens—Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, Alevis, Sunnis,” he said.

He underscored that all issues must be resolved through democratic and political means. “The root cause of problems in society has always been a lack of democracy. The solution lies in expanding democracy, strengthening the political process, and consolidating civilian governance.”

A political commitment to eliminating terrorism

Celik reiterated that achieving a terror-free Türkiye is not just a security matter but also a political commitment.

“We are not just working toward eliminating terrorist groups in the short term; we are committed to ensuring that terrorism can never again take root in Türkiye or the wider region,” he said.

Despite challenges, he assured that Türkiye’s counterterrorism policies will not be swayed by external pressures.

“As we move toward a terror-free Türkiye, we are not only securing our nation but also strengthening the region as a whole. In the end, all communities—whether Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, Alevi, or Sunni—will benefit from this effort,” he concluded.

Guarding Türkiye’s future

Celik further stressed the historical and cultural unity of Türkiye’s diverse population, rejecting divisive narratives. “The brotherhood of Alevis and Sunnis, Turks and Kurds, has always been a reality in our history. Those who attempt to drive a wedge between us only serve the interests of Türkiye”s enemies,” he said.

Reaffirming the government’s dedication to counterterrorism, Celik concluded, “We will continue to counter any efforts to perpetuate terrorism, and we remain resolute against all forms of sabotage. Through the disarmament and elimination of terror groups, we will achieve our goal of a terror-free Türkiye.”