Here are the main points of the statement issued after a top-level PKK leadership congress on May 5-7 following a call by jailed founder Abdullah Ocalan for his movement to disband and disarm.

- "With the participation of 232 delegates, the 12th PKK Congress (met), culminating in historic decisions marking the beginning of a new era for our freedom movement."

- "The PKK's struggle has dismantled the policies of denial and annihilation imposed on our people, bringing the Kurdish issue to a point where it can be resolved through democratic politics."

- "The PKK has fulfilled its historical mission... All activities conducted under the PKK name have therefore been concluded."

- "The PKK was formed under conditions dominated by aggressive Kurdish denial, annihilation, genocide and assimilation policies."

- "Since 1978, the PKK has conducted a freedom struggle aimed at securing recognition for Kurdish existence and establishing the Kurdish issue as a fundamental reality of Turkey."

- "Current developments in the Middle East... also make the restructuring of Kurdish-Turkish relations inevitable."

- "We have full faith that our people will understand the decision to dissolve the PKK and end the armed struggle method better than anyone, and will embrace the duties of the democratic struggle."

- "Our Congress's decision to dissolve the PKK and end the armed struggle offers a strong basis for lasting peace and a democratic solution. Implementing these decisions requires that leader Apo (Ocalan) lead and guide the process, that his right to democratic politics be recognised."

- "At this stage, it is essential that Turkey's Grand National Assembly (parliament) play its role with historic responsibility."

- "We call on the international powers to acknowledge their responsibilities in the century-long genocide policies against our people, not to obstruct a democratic solution, and to contribute constructively to the process."