Iraqi Kurdistan’s planned independence referendum is a “terrible mistake” toward achieving regional stability, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.

Kurdish media reported this week that the referendum would be held on September 25.

“The decision to hold a referendum on independence [Kurdish autonomy in Iraq] is a terrible mistake,” the ministry said.

Ankara follows the “fundamental principle” of preserving Iraq’s “territorial integrity and political unity.”

“This is the main condition for the preservation of stability, peace and security in the region,” the ministry said.

Source: Sputnik