Kurdish President Masoud Barzani hand-penned a statement describing yesterday's meeting with almost all political parties in the Kurdistan Region, which set September 25 as the date to hold an independence referendum for the Kurdistan Region including the disputed areas.
Full translation of President Masoud Barzani’s statement on June 8, 2017:
In the name of the Great and Merciful God,
June 7, 2017 was a historical and important and a valuable achievement for the Kurdistan nation and for the sacrifices made by martyrs. It was also a great pride for all the parties who attended the meeting and made a historical decision to help the Kurdistan nation send out its voice and will through the referendum to the world.
Thanks be to God, Peshmerga and the proud people of Kurdistan. Thanks be to all the parties who responsibly showed their national and historical stance. I hope this step will lead to national unity and harmony between the political parties.
The will of the people of Kurdistan is to obtain their natural rights through peace and away from violence. In this respect, we would want to have the best relations and understanding with Baghdad, our neighbors, and regional countries.
We must never forget that our triumphs and achievements are the outcome of the blood of our immortal martyrs.
Thousands of salutes to the pure souls of the martyrs on the path for freedom.
