"We believe the Kurdish problem can be solved by improving and enhancing the democratic rights of our citizens and ensuring that all see themselves as free and equal citizens... The solution lies in democracy," Atalay told a press conference here.

"The issue is vital for Turkey's future... We have taken and will continue to take decisive and courageous steps to resolve this issue," he added.

Ankara said last week that it was working on plans to win over its Kurdish citizens and erode support for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), fighting for self-rule in the Kurdish-majority southeast since 1984.

The government has yet to finalise the plans, Atalay said, declining to elaborate on the content of the package which he said would contain short-, mid- and long-term measures.

The government, he said, has not fixed a deadline for completing the package, adding that "we hope to make progress during summer."

The has claimed some 45,000 lives, led to gross human rights violations and driven a wedge between Ankara and the Kurds.

Ankara's announcement comes ahead of a "roadmap for a democratic solution" that jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is expected to propose in August.

Last month, the PKK announced that it had extended a unilateral truce by six weeks until September 1 in anticipation of its leader's proposals and to help settle the conflict.

Ankara rejects dialogue with the PKK, which it lists as a terrorist organisation and has never formally recognised.

Seeking to boost its bid to join the European Union, Turkey has in recent years introduced a range of measures including the inauguration of a Kurdish-language public television channel in January.

Kurdish activists however say the reforms are inadequate and argue that a general amnesty is crucial to encourage PKK militants to lay down arms, a proposal the government has so far rejected.