The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, as well as the EU and US.

If an agreement were reached, it would bring an end to a 26-year-old conflict.

A Turkish government official said it was "not in the habit of commenting on statements made by terrorists".

If the Kurdish issue is resolved in a democratic way through dialogue we will lay down our weapons, yes. We will not carry arms”, said Murat Karayilan PKK leader

The group has also been fighting for more linguistic and cultural rights for Turkey's Kurds, which by some estimates constitute one fifth of the country's population.

A genuine bilateral ceasefire would represent a major breakthrough in the conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which began in 1984 and has claimed the lives of around 40,000 people. But any unilateral declaration of independence or autonomy would almost certainly be seen as an escalation by the Turkish government from a group which it - and most Western governments - considers a terrorist organisation.