Erdoğan's first comment on PKK's dissolution announcement following cabinet meeting: 'The biggest winners are the families of the martyrs'

The highlights of President Erdoğan's statements were as follows:

A BRIGHT FUTURE AWAITS OUR NATION

Just like all the goals we promised our nation and achieved, we will certainly turn our Century of Turkey vision from theory into practice. We believe with all our hearts that after all the pain and hardship experienced, a brighter, more prosperous future awaits our nation.

THE BUSINESS WORLD SHOULD NOT BE ANXIOUS

We are working day and night to build a Turkey where security and justice prevail in all 81 of our provinces. Just like all the goals we promised our nation and achieved, we will also reach the Century of Turkey vision. For 23 years, we have been turning goals into reality one by one. It is seen every passing day that the world is at a crossroads. Turkey is one of the countries that best manages the chaotic climate. The future of our 86 million is secure, in safe and capable hands. Do not let the painful process our region is going through ever make you uneasy. Our business world and investors should definitely not be anxious.

TURKEY'S COMPASS POINTS TO PROSPEROUS HORIZONS

Turkey's compass points only to bright and prosperous horizons. With God's help, we will certainly bring the ship to safe harbors. Just as we said the 2008 crisis would pass our country by and were proven right, just as we overcame many calamities from conspiracies to terrorism and coup attempts, just as we managed the pandemic, and just as we kept our government away from the war in our region, I hope we will succeed in emerging from this perilous process as a government with our heads held high, and even stronger.

TURKEY'S CRISIS-SOLVING CAPACITY IS GAINING MORE RECOGNITION

Turkey's power, reputation, and crisis-solving capacity are gaining more and more recognition. First of all, I would like to express our satisfaction that the tension that erupted between Pakistan and India resulted in a ceasefire. While clearly declaring our support for the brotherly people of Pakistan, we made intense efforts to de-escalate the tension that was rising to very dangerous levels. The phone call I had with my brother, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was quite important. I hope that the environment of calm achieved with the ceasefire will facilitate the resolution of all problems, especially the water issue. Our stance in such crises is clear. We are always on the side of peace, stability, diplomacy, and dialogue. We reject the understanding in international relations that sees one's own gain in another's loss and destruction. We believe that competition where everyone comes out a winner is the right path, rather than a hot conflict where all parties, to a greater or lesser extent, will pay a price. Our efforts to create a peaceful, conciliatory, and cooperation-based positive agenda continue.

WE JUST SPOKE WITH ZELENSKY

We evaluated many issues with Mr. Putin, including ending the dispute between Russia and Ukraine. We just spoke with Ukrainian President Mr. Zelensky. Last week, we discussed this issue with Mr. Trump and talked about the steps we would take. We also support my dear friend's will to solve problems. Thank God, Turkey has become a country whose mediation is sought. At the current stage, there is an agreement for Russia, Ukraine, America, and Europe to hold talks.

WE BELIEVE THE OPPORTUNITY SEIZED WILL NOT BE WASTED

As the only country that has gained the trust of all parties, we have expressed that we are ready to contribute to these talks and would be happy to host them. We see that a new window of opportunity has opened with the latest contacts. We hope and believe that the opportunity seized this time will not be wasted.

A TERROR-FREE TURKEY

We are marching toward the goal of a terror-free Turkey. Today, we have crossed another critical threshold. I find the dissolution decision important. The doors to a new era will be opened. The bloody dagger in our brotherhood will be removed. We will follow the process from now on. The decision covers the extensions of the organization. We will work meticulously until the target is reached. The biggest winners are the families of the martyrs.

"As the government and the People's Alliance, I reiterate our determination to save Turkey from this wound that has been bleeding for 40 years.

I would like to thank all the party leaders, political parties, members of the media, and everyone who contributed, especially our alliance partner, MHP Chairman Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, who has sincerely embraced the efforts for a terror-free Turkey from the very first day."