ISTANBUL, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed on Monday that Iraq should stay united and refrain from having a referendum on independence by its Kurds.
"Every step that potentially introduces a new problem in Iraq would serve nothing other than causing instability," Erdogan said in remarks delivered at the 22nd World Petroleum Congress in Istanbul.
The Turkish leader said he welcomed news about the fight against the Islamic State in Mosul finally coming to an end.
"But Mosul has currently been left in ruins," he added. "I am wondering who is going to meet the cost of the reconstruction of the city."
Ankara has voiced its opposition to a vote on independence set by Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government for Sept. 25, out of concern that an actual separation could deepen regional chaos and conflict.
