Abadi: Many articles of Iraqi Constitution not been implemented

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Prime Minister in his weekly briefing on Tuesday said that conversations with Kurdistan official have been fruitful and he admitted many articles of the Constitution have not been implemented.

Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi stated that he had a friendly and firm meeting with the Kurdistan Region delegation about the scheduled Independence Referendum.

The Kurdistan Region’s officials blame successive Iraqi government for non-adherence to the Constitution and state there are 55 articles that have been violated by Baghdad.

Abadi added that the dialogue with the Kurdistan Region delegation over the disputed issues was intense and frank, saying that the meeting reiterated continued cooperation and dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency's spokesperson previously said that the federal government's non-adherence to the Iraqi Constitution had encouraged the Kurdistan Region to seek independence via a referendum, adding that the federal government had violated 55 Articles.

Roj Nuri Shawes, a member of the Kurdistan Referendum delegation, said at a press conference that there is no turning back from holding the independence referendum.

“We had a frank discussion with Baghdad… we informed them that referendum is the only solution to solve the long-standing problems,” Shawes said.

Editing by Ava Homa