Water resources: a new round of talks with Iran and Turkey on water

POSTED ON[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] BY [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

[size=52]Water resources: a new round of talks with Iran and Turkey on water[/size]

[size=45]Baghdad / Firas Adnan[/size]
[size=45]The Ministry of Water Resources revealed a new page of talks that will be launched with Turkey and Iran regarding the water file, noting that the rain wave has provided 600 million cubic meters, confirming that 75% of it will be directed to areas that suffered from scarcity, supplying the marshes and removing the salt tongue from the Shatt al-Arab.[/size]
[size=45]"The recent wave of rain and torrential rains that the country witnessed last month had a positive effect on the water storage, even if it was in a relative way," said Ali Radi, the ministry's spokesman.[/size]
[size=45]Rady continued, "75% of the water received was directed to areas that suffered from a large water scarcity."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out, "The first irrigation of the winter season is about to end, after it was at the beginning of last month, and the rains, torrential rains, and the release of water from reservoirs and dams helped complete it."[/size]
[size=45]Rady stressed, "This water has also been directed to the marshes in order to raise their levels and to Basra to push the salt tongue and improve the environment of the Shatt al-Arab."[/size]
[size=45]He explained, "The increase that occurred in the agricultural plan that relies on surface water, according to a decision taken last week, is the biggest evidence of the optimal use of incoming water."[/size]
[size=45]Rady added, “The previous plan included one million and 500 thousand dunums, based on surface irrigation,” and he talked about “a directive from the Council of Ministers to reconsider and study the reality of agriculture, depending on the nature of water revenues.”[/size]
[size=45]And he stated, “A meeting held between the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources ended with an increase of an additional one million dunums, and thus the plan has now become two million and 500 thousand dunums that depend on surface irrigation.”[/size]
[size=45]Radi emphasized, “The areas located at the heart of the main rivers and streams must be relied upon to ensure that water reaches all beneficiaries.”[/size]
[size=45]And while he stated that “this does not include the plan that relies on groundwater, drinking water, liquefaction, and irrigation of orchards,” he indicated that “the total water that was received during the last wave was about 600 million cubic meters,” stressing that “25% was stored in dams and reservoirs, and the percentage The other was directed at the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.” Radi stressed, “There is a relative improvement of the marsh waters, especially in the central regions, such as the Chibayish Marshes, which have benefited more than the Maysan Marshes,” adding that “the revival of the marshes in general needs a great deal of time as a result of what they have suffered and the vast areas.” He believed, "The competition for water consumption will be less after the end of the first irrigation, and the process of revitalizing the marshes will appear more and more clearly."[/size]
[size=45]Radi pointed out, to "the great interest shown by the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia' al-Sudani, in the water file," and noted "continuous communication with the Turkish and Iranian sides, and an initial meeting with the ambassador of each of the two countries was scheduled for this week." He revealed, "a new page of dialogues that will open with the two neighboring countries regarding water," promising this "very important" development, expressing his hope for "continuity of relations and for Iraq to obtain its share of water in accordance with international agreements and laws." Rady concluded, "The great government support for the water file is very important, and we have previously confirmed that it is not only a technical file for our ministries, but rather for political, diplomatic and commercial aspects."[/size]
[size=45]The Ministry of Water Resources had called for the formation of a joint committee of a political, technical and diplomatic nature in order to conduct negotiations with neighboring countries on the water file[/size]
[size=45][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]