We support the Turkish government in its desire to find a peaceful and sustainable settlement of the Kurdish issue and applaud the steps taken by all parties to move the process forward.

In August 2013 The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) began withdrawing from south-east Turkey. The PKK announced in October 2013 that this withdrawal was frozen, but the ceasefire still holds.

We were encouraged by the “democratisation package” announced by the Turkish government in September 2013 and hope that further progress can be made, with the aim of bringing stability and prosperity to Turkey’s south east. The release of any prisoners and the proscription status of the PKK in Turkey, is a matter for the Turkish authorities.

The British Government has not made an assessment of the reports of Turkish drones operating above the camps of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.

We commend the Turkish government’s approach to finding a peaceful solution and applaud recent steps taken by all parties to move the process forward. A peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue would significantly enhance the stability and prosperity of Turkey and the wider region. We have shared lessons learned from the UK’s experience in Northern Ireland with senior Turkish Ministers, politicians and officials, and are ready to lend further assistance if asked. The withdrawal of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants from south-east Turkey is an important contribution to a political settlement of the Kurdish issue.

This Government has never commented on considerations for proscribing or deproscribing terrorist groups. This practice reflects that of previous administrations.

A peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue would bring prosperity and security to Turkey’s south-east, potentially benefiting millions of Turkish citizens. We welcome the positive moves made by the Turkish Government recently— including starting talks with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and delivering key human rights reforms, for example around the Kurdish language.

We welcome the announcement of a ceasefire in the long-running Kurdish conflict. The withdrawal of PKK militants from south east Turkey is an important contribution to a political settlement in the Kurdish issue.

The UK remains steadfast in support of Turkey's efforts to tackle terrorism.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was proscribed in the UK in 2001. The status of all proscribed organisations is kept under regular review but it is not government policy to comment on considerations on whether any particular organisation will be proscribed or deproscribed.