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Kurdistan's referendum could damage regional stability - Turkish FM

Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu
Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu
IRBIL, Aug 23 (KUNA) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated Wednesday his country's concerns about the planned Kurdistan secession referendum. "A referendum at this time might result in problems and damage the stability in the region," visiting Cavusoglu said during his talks with Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani in Irbil, as per a statement by Kurdistan Presidency. The Turkish minister assured that trade relations between the Ankara and Irbil would not be affected by the referendum, despite Ankara's belief the September 25 vote on independence is "not a good idea." He said that Turkey is prepared to take part in international efforts to resolve outstanding issues between Irbil and Baghdad.
Cavusoglu praised the contribution of the Kurdish Peshmerga force in the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS) group and highlighted the "friendship and good relationship between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region." For his part, Barzani thanked Turkey for its help to the Kurdistan Region in the fight against the IS.
He argued that the Kurdistan Region worked hard to make the partnership between it and Iraq work after the US-led invasion in 2003, despite a history of genocide by the former Iraqi regime, but that it did not work out as wished and this pushed "the people of Kurdistan to lose hope in the state of Iraq." "Since partnership failed, we can live together as two good neighbors," Barzani said.
The Kurdistan president also reassured the Turkish side that Irbil is a factor for stability, meaning that relations with Kurdistan's northern neighbor stand strong.
"The past experience has proved that the Kurdistan is a factor for stability, and that stability and peace in the region is important for the people of Kurdistan," Barzani said. (end) sbr.ibi