A statement made following Turkey’s National Security Council (MGK) meeting argued that the independence referendum scheduled for September 25 in Southern Kurdistan was illegitimate and unacceptable.
Moved from Sept. 27 to Sept. 22 due to the Southern Kurdistan Independence referendum on the 25th, Turkey’s National Security Council (MGK) convened in capital Ankara on Friday under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
A statement issued after the meeting which lasted three hours said that: “The illegitimate and unacceptable state of the referendum announced by the KRG for Sept. 25 was once again highlighted. In the event that this referendum is held despite all our warnings, Turkey will reserve its rights granted by bilateral and international conventions.”
Accordingly, the KRG administration was invited to reverse the decision for referendum when there is still time, and the Council voiced readiness in order for the resolution of the problems between Iraqi central government and KRG through talks and on constitutional basis.
The National Security Council also highlighted the “inevitability of grave consequences that will damage the whole region alongside Northern Iraq in the event that the KRG insists on the mistake that is opposed by Turkey, UN Security Council, international community and Iraqi central government”.
