The 23rd Ordinary General Congress of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) continued with the reading of a joint message sent by Cemil Bayık, Co-Chair of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council, and Murat Karayılan, a leading member of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party). The message sent to the KNK General Assembly stated the following:

"Dear members, friends, and comrades;

We greet the Congress Council, all participating friends, and colleagues, and wish the 23rd General Assembly of the KNK to be beneficial for our country and our people.

We would have liked to be present at the General Assembly of the KNK, of which we are proud to be members. However, as you are aware, we are unable to be among you at this time. Even though we are far away and unable to gather together at the meetings, we assure you that we will fulfill our duties in accordance with the objectives of the KNK to the best of our ability.

The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), which has been working tirelessly for 26 years, has made the national unity of the Kurds its primary agenda since its establishment and has held numerous conferences, meetings, and other activities to this end. It has served as the diplomatic representative of the Kurdish people abroad. The primary objective of the KNK, of which we are also a member, has been to establish good relations with Kurdish political parties, organizations, institutions, civil society organizations, and political figures with the aim of developing relations among Kurds; to establish a common vision and common strategy. Today, if there is mutual dialogue and solidarity among Kurds, the KNK has been the fundamental foundation and platform for this.

Dear friends,

The Middle East, with Kurdistan at its center, has entered a new era of rapid developments. As new power balances and new relationships emerge in the Middle East, the Kurdish people are striving to play an active role in this process. To this end, it is of course essential that the Kurds develop a common strategy. This common strategy requires the Kurdish parties, organizations, institutions, and individuals in the four parts of Kurdistan and abroad to maintain constant and systematic relations, engage in joint discussions, and work together to form collective intelligence. At this stage, the KNK is carrying out this important work with dedication and has reached a point where it can be further expanded. We are fully confident that the Congress will adopt strong decisions and plans toward this end.

As is well known, Rêber (Leader) Abdullah Öcalan is conducting a dialogue process with the Turkish State on behalf of our movement in İmralı. This process is still ongoing. Our aim in conducting this process is to find a solution to the Kurdish issue through dialogue. As a movement, we believe that we have done more than our part at this stage. Now it is up to the other side. We hope that the other side will also fulfill its responsibilities and that we will reach a resolution.

The February 27 call of Rêber Apo (Abdullah Öcalan’s) and the developments that followed have directly influenced politics in the Middle East and Kurdistan, as well as strengthening the foundation for unity among Kurds. This historic call and the subsequent political developments have provided the most favorable ground for Kurds to establish a democratic national unity based on the short-, medium-, and long-term interests of our people on common platforms. Indeed, since the gains and identity of our people are under pressure and threat in almost every part of our country, the struggle to protect these gains and achieve national democratic rights has never ceased and continues. It will also further open the way for all other peoples living in our country to achieve their own rights and legal status. All social segments, especially women and youth, are the key dynamics of this process. Their participation and support will strengthen the goal of a democratic society and a democratic nation.

This call also necessitates the development of new relations with international powers, regional powers, peoples, and political actors. While developing new relations with international powers and regional actors, the Kurds must establish closer relations within themselves and form a broader and stronger unity. Our people have achieved a very important level of organization and awareness of freedom in all four parts. They have long since overcome the leaderless, unorganized, and powerless position they held in the last century. However, they will only be able to secure their rights and achieve a status commensurate with their advantages to the extent that they can unite under a common vision and strategy. The KNK is one of the most important stakeholders in this task and responsibility.

The role and mission of the KNK in its founding purpose has grown even more in this process. The Kurds have not yet fully achieved unity. The issue of national unity stands before us all as an urgent task. Rêber Apo has also emphasized this issue in his recent statements and called on everyone concerned to take action. A decision was made at the Lausanne Conference to hold a national conference. The KNK should make greater efforts in this regard and ensure that a national conference is convened within the specified framework.

In the coming period, we will continue our efforts for the national unity of the Kurds, both as members of the movement and as members of the KNK, and we will fulfill our responsibilities.

With this determination and conviction, we salute the general assembly and wish the newly elected administration success.”