At the moment Turkey is trying to normalize relations with the Kurdish part of Iraq that will help remedy situation inside the country, Alexander Rahr, Director of the Russian/Eurasia Program, German Council on Foreign Relations, told NEWS.am. According to him, Turkey is interested in autonomy formed within Iraq which will make no claims to establish its own statehood.

“If Turkish Kurds see that their brothers are quietly living in autonomy neighboring with Turkey, they will probably calm down. At the moment Turkey is trying to ban Kurdistan Workers’ Party by all means while they are organizing terrorist attacks. However, Turkey realizes that the problem can not be solved by use of force,” he noted, adding that such decision will be advantageous to both sides in the medium term.

Commenting on possible collapse of Iraq and establishment of independent Kurdistan, the expert stressed it is too early to speak of such developments. “Iraqi authorities are presently trying to survive, forming infrastructure, taking certain steps aimed at strengthening of statehood and this yields results. They will possibly manage to strengthen the country to preserve exiting Iraqi borders,” he noted.

Asked whether Kurdish issue may hamper Turkey’s joining the EU, Rahr stressed presently there are many other reasons for Turkey not to be the Union member. “It is clear there will be no EU enlargement. There are neither such instruments, nor political will. As to Turkey in particular, the most influential European Union states - France and Germany – oppose Turkey joining the EU,” the expert concluded.