The leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, Ocalan, has called for its dissolution.

"All groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK should disband itself," states the 75-year-old Öcalan. The text was read out on Thursday by representatives of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party visiting him in prison on Imralı Island in the Sea of Marmara.

In his message, Öcalan, among other things, emphasizes that "there are no alternatives to democracy in the pursuit of political objectives." He also urged Turkey's leadership to "show respect for ethnic minorities, freedom of expression, and the right to democratic self-organization."

Abdullah Öcalan's call could lead to a new peace process between the PKK and the Turkish government. This would mark the first such step in over a decade, notes DPA.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey, the European Union, and the United States. Since the 1980s, the party has fought for the establishment of an independent Kurdish state but later softened its demands to focus on expanding the rights of Kurds and their autonomy in southeastern Turkey. The death toll from the conflict stands at tens of thousands.

It remains unclear whether PKK members will heed the call of the party's founder. The current leadership of the organization includes Cemil Bayık and Murat Karayılan, who are wanted by the Turkish state on charges of terrorism.

Öcalan has been serving a life sentence in prison on Imralı Island since 1999.