EU rejects Kurdish referendum in Iraq

The European Union reiterated Wednesday its steadfast support for Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for dialogue between Irbil and Baghdad to resolve outstanding issues.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini described the Kurdistan region’s planned September 25 independence referendum as “counterproductive,” saying that it “must be avoided.”
Mogherini said that the EU recognises there are outstanding issues between Irbil and Baghdad that need to be resolved.
“This should be done through a peaceful and constructive dialogue leading to a mutually-agreed solution based on the full application of the provisions of the Iraqi Constitution,” she said.
“The EU welcomes the UN initiative to facilitate a dialogue and offers its support to such a process if requested,” she added.