European Parliament Gives Tacit Nod to Kurdish Independence

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – The European Parliament gave a tacit nod to Kurdish aspirations of independence on Thursday, when for the first time its motion over the Iraq conflict did not stipulate that the country must stay together.

Until now resolutions passed by European Union MPs, gathered in Brussels in the wake of the crisis in Iraq, had stressed: “Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity are essential for stability and economic development in the country and the region.”

Dellawar Ajgeiy, ‎‎‎the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) representative in the European Union capital expressed delight over that omission.

"Until now, the European Parliament had stressed the importance of the unity of Iraq, but we feel that the reversal means they had to take account of the new realities," he said.  "We think it is very positive, because one cannot dictate to Iraqis and Kurds something that is not in their interest."

The joint motion took note of the announcement by the KRG of a planned referendum for independence. The EU “appeals, however, to the parliament and the President of KRG, Massoud Barzani, to uphold an inclusive process in respect of the rights of the non-Kurdish minorities living in the province,” the motion said.

Rudaw has learnt that the United States, France, Italy, Britain, Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates are among states that have assured KRG officials they would show understanding, should Kurdistan declare independence.

Various politicians in Europe have expressed their views on the issue.

“The Kurds, just like all people, have the right to decide themselves about their future, according to international law,” Annika Lillemets, member of the Swedish parliament for the Green Party, told Rudaw.

Earlier this week the British Ambassador to Turkey Richard Moore said the UK's stance on an independent Kurdistan is the “same as Turkey's,” and stressed the importance of Iraq’s territorial integrity.

“We think that what we need is a unified Iraq. We are very clear with the KRG that we recognized the need for them to protect their security," Moore said.

British MP Nadhim Zahawi believes that, since the fall of Mosul and about a third of Iraq to jihadi-led insurgents, Kurds now occupy a new world, and “there is no going back.”

“To return to greater centralization would be to fundamentally undo the gains that were so hard-won over the past decade, especially in Kurdistan,” he said.

But he added that breaking up Iraq would “not deliver stability, either.” He offered a new model of federalism.

“This model would recognize the realities on the ground and better serve the interests of all parties. It’s not a new concept, and has been used to recognize diversity in several other countries. In the UK, for example, we have been debating the greater devolution of powers to Scotland,” Zahawi said.

He added that during his rule Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had only made “a half-hearted attempt at decentralization. It’s now up to Iraq’s politicians to overcome their differences and construct a national platform.”

Ajgeiy, the KRG representative, confirmed that some European countries are skeptical about the prospect of an independent Kurdistan because they fear more instability. He said that fear was baseless.

"On the contrary, the KRG stands for security and stability in the region, with its good economy and energy resources.  We are close to Europe, historically, culturally and in terms of democratic values."

Among his many meetings in Brussels, he has seen much sympathy from politicians who have an understanding of the Kurdish desire for secession.

"But there are also many politicians who do not say loud that their countries will accept Kurdish independence, because they themselves have their own problems with breakaway regions," Ajgeiy said.  He believes several European former Soviet republics would accept an independent Kurdistan.