ANKARA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci met with his visiting Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni here on Wednesday, highlighting the importance of improving cooperation in counter-terrorism and security-related issues.
Ciftci said Türkiye was monitoring the dismantling of all PKK affiliates operating under different names in different regions, noting the group's dissolution in Syria and Iraq is crucial for regional peace, according to a Turkish Interior Ministry statement.
He added that it was highly important for the PKK's PJAK (Kurdistan Free Life Party) structure in Iran to be included in the process. He warned that PJAK members who oppose the process could cross into Iran, allowing it to become more active inside the country.
Momeni expressed Iran's support for the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process, a political and security initiative launched by the Turkish government to permanently end decades of conflict with the PKK.
The Iranian minister called for Türkiye, Iraq, Iran and Syria to work together to encourage the PKK and its branches to lay down their arms and achieve a fundamental resolution of the Kurdish issue.
Meanwhile, Ciftci said Türkiye is open to effective cooperation with Iran in combating all forms of transnational crime, particularly drug trafficking and emerging criminal organizations.
The Turkish minister also called for coordination and strengthening of border measures to more effectively combat the pressure from irregular migration.
The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, is designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union. The PJAK is widely regarded as the PKK's affiliate in Iran.
In May 2025, the PKK announced its decision to disarm and disband following a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
On Aug. 10, Türkiye's parliament approved a legal framework for the disarmament and reintegration of the PKK, a key step toward ending a decades-long conflict. ■
