LONDON, June 13 (KUNA) -- A planned referendum on the independence of Iraq's Kurdistan region is not in the interest of the Kurdish people, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Johnson said that a referendum at this juncture would shift focus away from the urgent priority of defeating the so-called Islamic State (IS).
Moreover, he noted that it was imperative for Baghdad to consent to any political process towards Kurdish independence, urging all sides to hold constructive dialogue to ensure a prosperous future for Iraq.
President of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani has set September 25th as the date for a referendum on the autonomous region's independence from Iraq. (end) kd.nam