Parliamentary demands to put the water crisis at the top of the Baghdad summit

[size=52]Parliamentary demands to put the water crisis at the top of the Baghdad summit[/size]

[size=45]Baghdad / Hussein Hatem[/size]
[size=45]The Ministry of Water Resources is heading to Turkey early next month to discuss the “water file” and launch water quotas, while MPs and specialists believe that the water problem will continue unless direct intervention is made by the Prime Ministers and the Republic.[/size]
[size=45]During the current year alone, the rates of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers’ revenues decreased by about 50% from their normal rates during the past years, causing the decrease of one billion cubic liters of water to leave 260 thousand dunums of agricultural land out of service, according to semi-official statistics.[/size]
[size=45]Jamal Fakher, a member of the Agriculture, Water and Marshlands Committee, said in an interview with Al-Mada that "the negotiations on water releases did not bring any result with the neighboring countries," noting that "the Turkish and Iranian sides are insisting on cutting off water and adhering to their decisions rejecting the release of water to Iraqi dams and reservoirs."[/size]
[size=45]Earlier, Iraq accused Iran of cutting off the waters of the Sirwan and Karun rivers from the country, which caused water scarcity in the eastern province of Diyala, and affected its quality in the Shatt al-Arab, far south of Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]Fakher believes that "Turkey does not care about Iraq and its delegations that went to it despite the trade exchange between the two countries and the service of its economy."[/size]
[size=45]A member of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee called on the “Prime Ministers and the Republic to intervene directly in the water file,” adding that “the negotiations of the Minister of Water Resources and the accompanying delegations did not show any positive results.”[/size]
[size=45]Fakher stresses that, "the water file will be at the top of the Baghdad summit, to be held at the end of this month."[/size]
[size=45]A member of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee is surprised by “the placement of the Iraqi marshes on the list of world heritage without paying attention to them and providing a water quota that contributes to their sustainability.”[/size]
[size=45]Yesterday, Sunday, the Ministry of Water Resources set a date for completing the water talks, while noting that an Iraqi delegation would visit Turkey early next month on this issue.[/size]
[size=45]Ministry spokesman Ali Radi said, "This year is a water scarce year, and there is a clear shortage in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, whose level has decreased to more than 50%, in addition to the water drop at large rates in the Dukan Dam, Darbandikhan, Sirwan and Diyala," noting that "" The water needs for this season and the next winter season have been secured from what is available from good water storage in reservoirs and lakes.”[/size]
[size=45]Radi indicated that "many meetings were held with the Turkish and Syrian sides within the water file, and that there is an expected visit of an Iraqi delegation to Turkey early next month in order to complete the meetings and discussions regarding Iraq's share and water releases in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, as well as preparing for a joint tripartite meeting that includes Iraq." Turkey and Syria on the issue of sharing damage during the water scarcity period, completing the discussion on the joint protocol between Iraq and Turkey, and establishing the research center in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]He stressed, "These files and other files will be discussed during this visit of the Iraqi delegation, and that the visit of the Minister of Water Resources will be the culmination of a series of meetings with the Syrian side, and his meeting with a group of Syrian officials, and put forward a set of hypothetical points with the Syrian side regarding the water file," pointing out He added that "an Iraqi delegation that had previously visited Turkey last June, discussed these important files, and briefed the delegation on a group of facilities and water reservoirs in the Ilisu Dam."[/size]
[size=45]Radi pointed out that "this movement will culminate in the visit of the Iraqi delegation next month, to discuss these files in a broader and more accurate way."[/size]
[size=45]In turn, the water expert, Adel Al-Mukhtar, said in an interview with (Al-Mada), that “the previous negotiations and discussions with the Iranian and Turkish sides are nothing but protocols and discussions without interest,” adding that “the real negotiations are really those that take place between the prime ministers of the two negotiating countries and not by a minister.” Water resources and delegations that do not have the power to negotiate.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Mukhtar points out, “The water file is divided into two parts, the first is negotiations with neighboring countries and the second is the correct use of water,” pointing out that “large amounts of water go to waste as a result of the wrong use of agriculture and other water needs.”[/size]
[size=45]The water expert reiterated his call to “establish a national water council to be a starting point for negotiations with neighboring countries.[/size]
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