A man waves a flag of Kurdistan Workers' Party next to the Palais de Rumine during a protest to mark the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne, in Lausanne. AFP
His remarks came ahead of a planned ceremony by the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan to begin destroying its weapons, which the group said could happen between July 10 and 12.
"The process will gain a little more speed when the terrorist organisation starts to implement its decision to lay down arms," he told journalists on his way back from an economic summit in Azerbaijan in remarks reported Saturday by Anadolu state news agency.
The PKK declared an end to its armed campaign in May -- a conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives since 1984 and long strained Turkey's relations with its Kurdish population and regional neighbours.
"As a gesture of goodwill, a number of PKK fighters, who had taken part in fighting Turkish forces in recent years, will destroy or burn their weapons in a ceremony," a PKK commander told AFP on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Erdogan said he would meet with a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM party, which has played a key role in facilitating talks between Ankara and the jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan, who spearheaded calls for the militants to disarm.
"We will discuss the steps taken so far to reach the goal of a 'terror-free Turkey' with the DEM delegation and what will happen next," Erdogan told reporters, using Ankara's shorthand for the peace process.
He said a date had not yet been set for the talks with DEM lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar but indicated his spy chief Ibrahim Kalin would join the meeting.
Media reports suggested they would likely meet early next week after which the DEM delegation would then head to Imrali prison island near Istanbul to brief Ocalan who has been serving life there since 1999.
"A brand new door will open before us with the complete removal of arms, blood and tears," Erdogan added, saying the PKK's disarmament "will be the beginning of a new era for Turkey in terms of security, democracy and development".
"We will work together on how to build a 'Turkey without terror' throughout our country, in eastern and southeastern Anatolia."
Earlier this week, top PKK official Mustafa Karasu had accused Ankara of dragging its feet in reciprocating, saying it had "not taken the needed steps", pointing to ongoing strikes on PKK positions in northern Iraq and the failure to improve Ocalan's prison conditions.
Short link: