Joint Iran and Turkey Response to PKK and PJAK Threats

Mustafa Çiftçi, the Turkish Interior Minister, hosted his Iranian counterpart İskender Memiş on Wednesday at 10 AM local time in his office in Ankara. This bilateral meeting, aimed at strengthening security cooperation and addressing common challenges, focused on one of the most important issues of the day, namely the dissolution of the PKK and PJAK groups.

Discussion on Common Security

Çiftçi stated during the meeting that the two countries are strengthening their neighborhood through joint security measures, referencing the long-standing relations between Iran and Turkey. He added: "In this meeting, we discussed a common security agenda, including the fight against terrorism, the security of the borders of both countries, illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and combating modern criminal networks."

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Emphasis on Dissolution of PKK and PJAK

Çiftçi also emphasized the importance of dissolving the PKK and PJAK groups as threats to regional security. He stated that the process of a "terrorism-free Turkey," which is being implemented under the command of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey, must continue with close cooperation with Iran. Çiftçi noted that to achieve peace and security in the region, it is necessary for all branches of the PKK in Syria and Iraq, as well as the PJAK branches in Iran, to be included in the dissolution process.

During the meeting, the two ministers examined existing security threats and the joint actions that can be taken to counter them. Çiftçi emphasized: "We seek to create a stable and permanent region that brings a peaceful and secure environment to Turkey. We will continue to firmly confront transnational threats in solidarity and coordination with our neighbors."

The Turkish Interior Minister concluded by thanking İskender Memiş and his accompanying delegation, emphasizing that this meeting will be an important step towards security cooperation between the two countries.

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