Iraq, Turkiye sign framework support agreement on water issues

BAGHDAD, Nov 2 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan signed on Sunday an executive mechanism for implementing the bilateral water cooperation agreement, in the presence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Sudani.
According to a statement from the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office, Al-Sudani said the agreement represents a sustainable solution to Iraq's water crisis through major joint projects in the water sector aimed at addressing resource scarcity and improving water management.
He emphasized the importance of following up on the outcomes of the agreement reached during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Baghdad last year, noting that the water crisis is a "global issue" that has severely affected Iraq.
Earlier, during a joint press conference with Hussein, Fidan said the agreement would be implemented in two phases, the first to develop better mechanisms for water use, and the second to rehabilitate Iraq's irrigation infrastructure.
He added that the signing opens the door for major investments in Iraq's water infrastructure and marks significant progress toward ending the water crisis, ensuring future generations will not continue to suffer from it.
Meanwhile, Iraq is currently facing a severe water shortage that has dried up numerous rivers and wetlands due to declining water inflows from neighboring countries through the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. (end) ahh.ga.hs