President Bafel: Lausanne Agreement Ended Kurds’ Long-Held Hope

News 03:22 PM - 2023-07-07

PUK President

The President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Jalal Talabani, issued a message to the Lausanne Forum held in West Kurdistan (North and East Syria) .

A research center held a forum on Thursday in Hasakah city, northeastern Syria, to mark the centennial of the Treaty of Lausanne and to discuss its impact on Syria, the Middle East, and the four Kurdish regions divided across Syria, Iran, Turkey, and Iraq.

Regarding the forum, President Bafel said:

A century ago, the Lausanne Agreement was signed against the Kurds, without their participation or even consent. An agreement that marked the beginning of the division of our territory into four parts and the end of long-held Kurdish hopes.

The Kurdish people have attempted brotherhood and coexistence throughout history, but sadly, we have always been the targets of oppression by nations. All forms of violence have been used against us, and our language and identity have been attempted to be erased. However, this did not erase us; rather, we grew stronger and persisted like our high mountains due to the revolution and the ongoing struggle of our people for pride and prosperity.

Even now, 100 years after the agreement and all the sacrifices we have made throughout history, we must learn from the past lessons and prepare ourselves for the future with a Kurdish spirit. A future that we can only guarantee through unity, solidarity, and brotherhood.

Let's put aside our differences and work together for a better Kurdistan so that we can protect our culture and advance our nation. This is our only chance to be heard as a nation and to fight for what is rightfully ours.

The PUK has a well-defined objective and maintains the sound policy of former President Mam Jalal. His official stance is one of solidarity with the Kurds in their ongoing political and civil unrest. A plan of action designed to boost national pride and advance Kurdish interests.

Although we have many differences, our shared language and territory are the common point of all Kurdish political forces and parties, and we must protect them.

We tell all the countries of the world and our neighbors that war and conflict are not our options, and we reject them in any way. We want to develop our relations within the framework of protecting the highest interests and being good neighbors. But we will not compromise on our legitimate rights and will defend them in any way. We should not forget that President Mam Jalal always said that unless the Kurdish problem in the east is resolved, there will be no complete peace in the region.

I wish you success and prosperity.

Bafel Jalal Talabani
PUK President



PUKMEDIA