Water Resources: Iraq uses its treasury to control the water crisis

[size=52]Water Resources: Iraq uses its treasury to control the water crisis[/size]

[size=45]The water file is still ambiguous despite the repeated discussions and visits of the delegations concerned with it. However, the Minister of Water Resources reassured during his last visit to Turkey about 3 days ago that Iraq has achieved many understandings and discussions to address this crisis.[/size]
[size=45]While specialists in water and agricultural affairs believe that the talks will not yield results without the intervention of the prime ministers and the Republic, noting that the Minister of Water Resources does not have the right to negotiate.[/size]
[size=45]The advisor at the Ministry of Water Resources, Aoun Diab, said in an interview with (Al Mada), that "the issue of water releases by neighboring countries is not easy, but it is a complex and thorny issue," noting that "there is a political will on the part of neighboring countries regarding the release of water quotas."[/size]
[size=45]Diab added, "The Ministry of Water Resources used its existing water reserves to control water scarcity in many areas."[/size]
[size=45]The Minister of Water Resources, Mahdi Rashid Al-Hamdani, confirmed in press statements followed by Al-Mada that Iraq will soon implement the strategic Makhoul Dam, which will achieve the country's water budget, pointing to the importance of helping the Turkish side in implementing this dam, which will not need Iraq to build any other large dam.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Hamdani added upon his return from Turkey: "We achieved many understandings with the Turkish side during our visit to Ankara at the invitation of the Turkish President's special envoy, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for water affairs with Iraq, Faisal Aroglu."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Hamdani pointed to "discussing the cooperation protocol on the Tigris River, which we sent to the Turkish side, and we discussed the memorandum of understanding signed in 2014, which received the approval of the Turkish Parliament, and agreement to start the establishment of the joint research center on the Tigris River, which will be established soon in Baghdad."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out, "The importance of this center at the level of the Middle East for the exchange of studies and experiences and the implementation of narrative projects," calling on "Syria and Iran to join this center."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Hamdani stressed, “Iraq expressed its strong reservations about the construction of the Turkish Al-Jazra Dam, which will cause water scarcity in Iraq.” .[/size]
[size=45]Bedouin, adviser to the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee, who is specialized in agricultural and water affairs, Adel Al-Mukhtar, said in an interview with (Al-Mada), that “the negotiations of the Minister of Water Resources are useless if they are not accompanied by a presidential delegation.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Mukhtar added, "The real negotiations are those that take place between the prime ministers of the two negotiating countries and not by the Minister of Water Resources and delegations that do not have the authority to negotiate."[/size]
[size=45]He stated, "The water file is divided into two parts, the first is negotiations with neighboring countries, and the second is the correct use of water," noting that "large amounts of water go to waste as a result of the wrong use of agriculture and other water needs." Al-Mukhtar called for “the establishment of a national water council to be a starting point for negotiations with neighboring countries,” stressing that “everyone agreed when I proposed it, but it is still on the waiting shelf.”[/size]
[size=45]In addition, the head of the committee, Salam Al-Shammari, said in a statement received by Al-Mada that "the return of importing some agricultural products, especially vegetables, will continue and will include other products if the water shortage continues without radical solutions."[/size]
[size=45]He added, "The lack of clear response from the two upstream countries to the Iraqi demands for water quotas will lead to continuous damage to the agricultural sector and will clearly affect future agricultural plans."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Shammari explained, "Self-sufficiency in agricultural products is in danger if the continuous water shortage continues."[/size]
[size=45]He stressed, "the need to continue government pressure on the two neighbors, Turkey and Iran, to ensure Iraq's share and not to link this file with other matters that do not serve the common interests and bilateral relations."[/size]
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