Turkey stresses opposition to Kurdish independence vote

Turkey reiterated its opposition to an independence referendum in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq on July 19, following media reports that Ankara had softened its stance.      

Last month, the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) announced it would hold a referendum on independence from Baghdad on Sept. 25.

Ankara's "unambiguous views that preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity is among the irrevocable principles of our foreign policy," were stressed in a statement by Foreign Ministry spokesman Hüseyin Müftüoğlu.

The government is "against the KRG's decision to conduct an independence referendum. There is no change in our position," he added.

Several media outlets in the Kurdish region have recently claimed that Turkey would accept independence under certain conditions.

The reports are "completely groundless and unfounded," according to Müftüoğlu.

Turkey has said an independence vote would be a "grave mistake" that would "result in undesired results" for regional peace and security.