Following the meeting of the Council of Ministers convened at 21.30 in the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson Bekir Bozdağ stated that the referendum planned to be held in Iraq Kurdistan should be canceled.

“Turkiye reserves all options arising from bilateral and international agreements if the Kurdish regional referendum is held as it planned to be on September 25,” said Bozdağ and added: “All options have been evaluated if the referendum going to be held. It is an illegitimate referendum. Turkiye has cleared its attitude at the beginning. This referendum is about to form new threats and troubles to the peace and security of the region. Those who say they have taken these steps to solve some problems, they will face greater problems tomorrow.”

“Referendum should be abandoned”

Bozdağ also stressed they are against the postponement of the referendum that the referendum should be canceled and said: “The international community is against it. Communities living in the region are opposed to this referendum. There are not only Kurds living in the region. Also, other religions and ethnic groups live in that geography. We are calling for the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government to act with common sense. This referendum should be abandoned. This issue is not a matter to be taken with emotion. Turkiye also against the postponement of the referendum. The postponement means that we accept that it will be done in the future. It should cancel it in a way that cannot be repeated. Turkiye does not accept it.” (ILKHA)