In Presence of PUK President’s Representative, Istanbul Conference Examines Prospects for Resolving the Kurdish Issue

PUKMEDIA

International Conference for Peace and Democratic Society in Istanbul, 6 December 2025

The International Conference for Peace and Democratic Society kicked off on Saturday, 6 December 2025, at the Cem Karaca Culture and Congress Centre in Istanbul, with wide participation from political leaders, academics, and civil society activists, including representative of Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)

The two-day conference, organised by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), is examining the peace process and the democratic society initiative launched by Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February, alongside relevant international experiences.

Dr Dara Khailany, representative of the PUK President at the conference, read the PUK President's message at the conference, in which he stated that the people of Kurdistan “have experienced and understand that war and conflict produce no winners.” 

“As participants gather to discuss the importance of peace and stability— the foundations of a dignified and prosperous life, the region is facing a critical juncture as geopolitical dynamics in both the region and the wider world continue to shift,” he said.

He emphasised: “the decisions we make today will determine our present and shape the opportunities and freedoms of future generations—not only for the Kurds, but for all ethnic and religious communities.”

President Bafel reaffirmed that since its founding in 1975, the PUK has held a firm conviction that “violence only deepens divisions, and that a lasting solution can be achieved solely through political dialogue.”

He concluded by paying tribute to the legacy of President Mam Jalal, stating: “This principle defines Mam Jalal’s leadership, whose courage, clarity of purpose, and unwavering commitment to peace transformed sensitive moments of uncertainty into opportunities for reconciliation.”

Dr Khailany affirmed in his own address that the PUK is committed to supporting the success of the peace process and advancing a resolution to the Kurdish issue in Türkiye, guided by the “flower bouquet” policy of President Mam Jalal.

He stated that “the PUK is working to ensure the success of the peace process and the resolution of the Kurdish issue in Türkiye,” adding that “the Turkish state must respect the rights of the Kurdish people.” He noted that the PUK hopes for the success of the conference, emphasising that “the Kurds, who have suffered greatly in the Middle East, best understand the meaning of peace and freedom.”

He further highlighted that “the PUK always takes the “flower bouquet” policy of President Mam Jalal as a cornerstone of its path,” underscoring the PUK’s consistent advocacy for peaceful solutions and dialogue to resolve disputes.

A number of prominent international figures are participating in the conference, including former Senator and Chair of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee Mohamad Bhabha; Member of Parliament and President of Sinn Féin Declan Kearney; former President of Catalonia Pere Aragonès García; Member of the Basque Parliament and International Relations Coordinator for EH Bildu Igor Zulaika; and politician Azimi Işık. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jody Williams is also scheduled to participate via Zoom.



PUKMEDIA