ESENDERE, Turkey - A new library in Kurdish-majority southeast Turkey is raising hopes for a peaceful and prosperous future in the region that has seen years of bloody violence between the state and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The minister of culture and tourism opened the library in Esendere, Hakkari province in a ceremony on Wednesday that brought together officials and rival party members.
“Turkey has now acquired a new identity. Along with this, Hakkari has also gained a new identity. As a government, all our efforts are for how we can swiftly make Hakkari a prosperous city and an economically advanced city,” said Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. “All our efforts are for this.”
The library includes a Kurdish section.
Tahir Sakli, former mayor of Semdinli (Shamzinan) district in Hakkari province, noted the library's significance beyond just books.
“Library means culture, development and education,” Sakli said. “Our people and our state will also advance through education.”
"Unfortunately, major deficiencies arose and major prices were paid. Unfortunately, we spent our lives in war for more than 40 years,” he added.
Hakkari, bordering Iran and the Kurdistan Region, was deeply impacted by clashes between Turkey and the PKK, creating a complex situation of security challenges and political tensions that hindered development.
The new library brought political rivals together on the issue of PKK disarmament.
“If the solution [peace] process succeeds, it will be very good for our nation and all countries. We hope for a good result. When weapons are laid down, a serious peace needs to be established,” said former Kurdish lawmaker Esat Canan.
Echoing the sentiment, former lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Abdulmuttalip Ozbek expressed gratitude to a range of figures, including jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, for their efforts toward peace.
“May God almighty help those people who work for peace,” Ozbek said. "Whoever has worked for this cause… we are grateful, and we await a good result.”
After announcing its dissolution and the cessation of its four-decade armed struggle in May, the first group of PKK combatants is scheduled to disarm in the Kurdistan Region later this month.
Ankara has acknowledged the PKK's decision to dissolve itself, but has underscored the necessity of its practical implementation, while the PKK said it expects democratic reforms from the Turkish government as an integral component of the peace process.
The current phase is a pivotal moment in one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies.
Shawkat Harki contributed to this report.
