Erdoğan, Putin discuss KRG referendum on phone

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke on the phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday. The two leaders addressed the non-binding referendum being held in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

President Erdoğan and his Russian counterpart Putin will meet on Sept. 28 in Ankara to discuss all political issues, particularly the recent developments in the region.

Presidential sources said that the phone call addressed bilateral relations and regional issues. The two presidents exchanged views on the Astana process and emphasized the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria, while addressing the KRG’s referendum attempt.

The non-binding referendum of the KRG on whether to declare independence from Baghdad which began on Monday morning carries great significance for millions of Arabs, Turkmens and Kurds in Iraq and Syria.

The Iraqi government rejects the poll, saying it will adversely affect the ongoing fight against the Daesh terrorist group, which still maintains a significant presence in Iraq. Baghdad also believes that holding the poll would violate the Iraqi constitution.

Turkey, too, rejects the planned referendum, saying the region’s stability depends on the unity of Iraq and the maintenance of its territorial integrity.