EU parliament bloc rejects Kurdish referendum, favours peaceful dialogue

The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the second largest bloc in the EU parliament, announced yesterday it would not recognise the independence of the Iraqi Kurdish region, the alliance said on its website.

“We reiterate our steadfast support for Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,” the alliance Vice President Victor Boştinaru said.

He continued: “Unilateral actions, such as the vote which took place on 25 September, are contrary to the Iraqi constitution, counterproductive and have potentially profound destabilising effects in an already complex and conflict-ridden regional situation.”

Boştinaru added: “We are convinced that any ongoing differences between Baghdad and Erbil need to be resolved through peaceful dialogue, within the framework of the Iraqi constitution and laws.”

Meanwhile, the alliance welcomed the position of the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini as she had announced that the EU is ready to “facilitate such a dialogue if required by the Iraqi government”.

Read more: Kurds refuse to hand over airports to Iraq government

Image of a support rally for Kurdish independence ahead of the Kurdish referendum on 21 September 2017 [Rudaw English‏/Twitter]