The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Monday issued a press release describing an independence referendum that is being held by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) as “null” and “void” and said that Turkey does not recognize the referendum, which lacks international legitimacy.
Claiming that the KRG was jeopardizing stability and peace in the region by ignoring the warnings of Turkey and holding the referendum, the ministry said the KRG’s move will carry a price and that sanctions will be imposed on it.
“The referendum, which is being held today [Sept. 25] in the KRG, is null and void in terms of its consequences. We do not recognize this initiative, which lacks a legal basis and legitimacy with regard to international law and the Iraqi constitution,” said the statement.
The ministry also called on other countries in the region and international community to refrain from recognizing the referendum initiative.
“We stress one more time that we will take every measure available under international law and from the authority granted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in the event that some radical elements and terrorists who may seek to exploit the circumstances that will emerge following the referendum attempt to carry out acts that target our national security,” added the ministry.