Kurdistan’s Turkmen, Assyrians support independence referendum

Turkmen and Christian parties in the Kurdistan Region on Monday expressed support for an independence referendum planned to be held in 2017.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Turkmen and Christian parties in the Kurdistan Region on Monday expressed support for an independence referendum planned to be held in 2017.

In separate meetings, the joint delegation of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) met with Turkmen and Christian parties in the Kurdistan Region to discuss the process of holding the referendum.

In a joint press conference, Erfan Kirkuki, one of the representatives of the Turkmen party, said they would support the process of holding an independence referendum.

Kirkuki added the future of Turkmen was bound to the Kurdistan Region.

He also mentioned the Turkmen had not been given their natural rights in Iraq while their rights as a second nation in the Region would be fully preserved and protected.

Speaking to reporters, the representatives of the Turkmen parties reiterated their backing for raising the Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk.

Following the meeting with the joint KDP/PUK delegation, the Secretary-General of the Assyrian Bet al-Nahrain Party Romeo Hakkari revealed they support the efforts of holding an independence referendum as well.

Hakkari emphasized the Assyrian group was also part of the Kurdistan Region.

Rozh Nuri Shawes, one of the members of the joint delegation, reaffirmed both Turkmen and Assyrians of Kurdistan supported the Region’s referendum for independence,

Shawes explained the joint delegation had informed them to select their representatives for a larger gathering planned to be created to make preparations for the referendum.

 

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany