Solid steps needed towards referendum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The largest political party in the Kurdistan Region calls for solid steps towards holding the referendum.

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) held a meeting on Thursday headed by party's president, Masoud Barzani, to discuss the internal affairs, the situation in Iraq, the war against Islamic State (IS) and the overall situation in Kurdistan.

According to a statement released by the KDP Leadership Council after the meeting, the party believes that the international, regional, and local conditions are suitable to make a decision about the future of the Kurdistan Region.

Regarding the situation in Iraq, KDP Leadership Council statement emphasized that the political situation in Iraq is getting complicated day after day. Recent events are increasing the disintegration among Iraqi political parties.

According to the statement, the reason behind the recent upheavals in Iraq is that the Iraqi constitution has not become the base for works of the state institutions and each side is interpreting the articles of the constitution based on its sectarian and political interests.

The Iraqi government no longer has the power to restore security, the statement said.

In February 2016, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani released a statement regarding holding the referendum and the right to self-determination.

"Self-determination is a natural right that cannot be denied… the referendum will be held through peaceful dialogue and understanding," Barzani added.

Reporting by Baxtiyar Goran
Editing by Ava Homa