Iraq links the water issue with Turkey to the economy and trade: it is no less dangerous than confro

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]Iraq links the water issue with Turkey to the economy and trade: it is no less dangerous than confronting ISIS[/size]

[size=45][You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
12-24-2023
The Iraqi Minister of Water Resources, Aoun Dhiab, said on Sunday that the water issue and its scarcity are no less dangerous than the level of confrontation with ISIS, indicating a government approach to place the issue in “one basket,” along with the economy and trade files.[/size]
[size=45]This came during a press conference held by Dhiab in the Ministry of Water Resources building in Baghdad and attended by our correspondent.[/size]
[size=45]Regarding the water challenges of 2023, the Minister of Water Resources said, “With wise management, we worked to eliminate violations and improve the transfer of water from one place to another, and we were able to successfully overcome the summer season with little damage, and in 2018 we had water twice as much as we had this year.”[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out, “An understanding with Iran reached an achievement with the opening of the Karun River since last April.” Regarding the salty water in Basra, he explained that “the water entering Basra now is better than in previous years.”[/size]
[size=45]The Iraqi minister considered the issue of the Euphrates River water with Turkey “political,” and pointed out, “Discussions are continuing with the Turkish side, and there is a government approach to improving the relationship with this country, and the water file will be the first between the two countries.”[/size]
[size=45]He continued, "There is an interest from the government in addressing the water problem, the degree of which may reach levels of danger facing ISIS," warning that "the water reserve is the lowest Iraq has ever experienced, and we have great hope of increasing the reserve to confront next summer."[/size]
[size=45]In response to a question from our correspondent, Minister Aoun Diab said, “Delegations go to Turkey continuously to discuss the water file,” indicating that “discussions between Iraq and Turkey have been continuing for years, and their goal currently is to reach a bilateral agreement between Baghdad and Ankara,” adding that “ But so far we have not reached an agreement, and there is a serious intention by the government to reach a comprehensive agreement with Turkey economically and commercially, in addition to the water issue.”[/size]
[size=45]He explained that “there are common interests with the Turkish and Iranian sides,” pointing out that “water revenues on the Tigris River are good due to rainfall in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and the release of water from the Turkish “Ilisu” dam to generate energy, and that the water that enters the Mosul Dam is more than From what is released from it.”[/size]
[size=45][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]