Endgame in Sight for the Conflict between Turkey and the PKK?

Bulletin PISM, No. 17 (470)  18 February 2013
The Polish Institute of International Affairs

Pinar Elman & Kacper Rękawek *

After more than 28 years of conflict, Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) could be preparing for peace as both sides are entering direct talks. Given Turkey’s internal political considerations and the fragile situation in the region, these talks stand a chance of producing a lasting settlement to one of Europe’s last violent conflicts. The EU should aim to use this occasion to reinvigorate its links and ties with Turkey and lend its expertise in conflict resolution to the government in Ankara while trying to mitigate potential negative outcomes of the process.

* Pinar Elman is an analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs. Kacper Rekawek specialises in international terrorism and terrorist groups, analyst in the security programme of the Polish Institute of International Affairs.

Download full text (Format Pdf)