Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Monday welcomed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) decision to dissolve and end its armed struggle.

AKP spokesperson Omer Celik welcomed the PKK decision to dissolve and lay down arms, considering it an "important step" towards Ankara's goal of "Turkey without terrorism."

"The PKK's decision to dissolve itself and lay down arms following the call from Imrali is an important step toward the goal of a 'Turkey without terrorism'," Celik was cited by the state-owned Anadolu Agency as saying. 

Imrali is where the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is held. In late February, Ocalan called on the group to disband and disarm, and the PKK announced on Monday that it had heeded the call. 

"The implementation of the decision to dissolve and surrender weapons in a concrete and complete manner, covering all branches and extensions of the PKK along with its illegal structures, will be a turning point," Celik added. 

He noted the steps "will be meticulously monitored in the field by our state institutions. The stages reached will be presented to our Honorable President [Recep Tayyip Erdogan]."