Barzani to Turkish FM: Independence prevents instability, war
Partnership has failed in Iraq.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Turkish Foreign Minister arrived in Erbil on Wednesday to discuss the independence referendum with the authorities.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his accompanying delegation met the Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani at the Presidential Palace in Pirmam, near Erbil.
Cavusoglu stressed his country’s support for the rights of people of Kurdistan and expressed readiness to be part of international efforts to resolve the issues between Erbil and Baghdad, Kurdistan Region Presidency (KRP) said in a statement.
Cavusoglu expressed Turkey’s concerns about the independence referendum, and stated that that referendum at this time might create problems and instability in the region, the statement added.
For his part, Barzani said that the decision of people of Kurdistan [of holding independence referendum] is a democratic, peaceful and natural right that would prevent instability and war.
Barzani added that partnership, constitution, and agreements have been violated in the new Iraq in a way that Kurds have lost hope and do not want to repeat bitter experiences of the past
"People of Kurdistan are not responsible for Iraq’s status quo," President Barzani said.
“Since partnership has failed in Iraq, we could become two neighbors [with Iraq],” Barzani stated, saying that Kurdistan has proven to be a contributor to stability and peace in the Middle East.
Cavusoglu arrived in Iraq on Tuesday night and met with the Iraqi officials on Wednesday morning.