Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to continue the ongoing settlement process aimed at resolving Turkey's decades-old Kurdish issue despite tensions that have flared in southeastern Turkey recently.

“Those who want to sabotage this process, spoil this atmosphere in the country can never get rid of the responsibility, the black stain and pangs of remorse [that their actions will lead to]. We set our hearts on the process. We risked our lives for this process. No sabotage or provocation can deter us from this blessed journey and seeking a solution,” Erdogan said.

The prime minister's remarks came at his party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday.

The PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan declared a historic ceasefire in March after months of clandestine negotiations with the Turkish secret service with an ultimate goal of disarming the rebel fighters.