Strong, united Kurds lay foundation for meaningful dialogue, resolution: British MP

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – A delegation of United Kingdom Parliamentary members visiting the Kurdistan Region on Tuesday said the landmark vote was efficient, organized, and lays a good foundation for meaningful dialogue with Baghdad.

The British All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Kurdistan Region, led by the group’s Director Gary Kent and chairman and UK MP Jack Lopresti, acted as observers to the Kurdistan Region’s referendum on independence Monday.

“We went to polling stations in Erbil, in Kirkuk, and Sulaimani, stopping at randomly selected polling stations along the way,” said Lopresti.

“We were impressed with what we saw: the process was efficient, organized, and similar to what we would see in the UK,” he added.

Kent, who said they were present to pay respect to the martyrs of the 1991 uprising, stated they would report to Parliament their findings on the “successful vote.”

“We wanted to see for ourselves the grim past [of the Kurdistan Region] in the hopes you have a bright future,” he asserted. “We will report to Parliament and maximize good strong relations between the UK and the Kurdistan Region.”

Regarding the Kurdistan Region’s future relations with countries that opposed the referendum, Lopresti remained optimistic.

“Kurdistan has a bright future no matter what. We will work with them as friends, as partners in the future in what will hopefully be a period of calm discussion and negotiations,” he said, echoing the statement by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson appealing for calm and dialogue to prevail.

Lopresti said the hostile rhetoric was “predictable and expected,” including the “posturing” by Baghdad.

However, he noted that once the results come in, Baghdad “will see how strong and united the Kurdish people are,” which will lay a “good foundation for meaningful dialogue and resolution of these difficulties.”

“We’re hoping the rhetoric doesn’t turn into reality,” he stated. “We will always support your right to self-determination.”

Foreign observers from around the world came to the Kurdistan Region to monitor the voting process as millions of people headed to the polls to decide whether to remain a part of Iraq.

Since then, the government in Ankara, Baghdad, and Tehran have issued warnings and threats.

“We want to see dialogue and a good outcome between Erbil and Baghdad,” the British MP said. “We would be disappointed if regional neighbors were to act out on their threats.”

The Kurdish leadership has repeatedly assured the referendum was not a declaration of war but a mandate to negotiate a peaceful divorce with Baghdad.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany