Turkey backs Iraqi court’s decision on KRG referendum

By Cansu Dikme

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday welcomed the decision by the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq, which on Monday ruled the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) referendum “unconstitutional”.

In a statement, the ministry said: “This decision has confirmed the illegitimacy of the referendum, which has been stressed all along by the majority of the international community, including Turkey.”

On Nov. 6, Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court ruled that its constitution did not allow for the secession of any part of the country from the Iraqi state.

In a new decision on Monday, the federal court ruled that the referendum held on Sept. 25 in the region was unconstitutional.

On Sept. 25, Iraqis in areas under the control of Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) -- and in a handful of “disputed” areas -- voted on whether to declare regional independence from the Iraqi state.

“In the upcoming period, our expectation is full abidance by said decision, and avoidance of actions and attitudes that would prejudice the political unity and territorial integrity of Iraq,” the statement added.