During Erdogan’s visit, Iraq to sign water agreement with Turkey
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: PMO
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Member of the Parliamentary Agriculture and Water Committee Thaer Al-Jabouri stated on Thursday that Iraq will sign a water agreement during the visit of the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Baghdad next Monday.
“The Turkish President’s visit to Baghdad is extremely important, particularly that topics related to the economy and water issue will be addressed,” Al-Jabouri told Baghdad Today News.
“Erdogan considers Iraq’s Development Road project an important gateway to revive the Turkish economy as it will turn Turkey into a transit for goods coming from Asia to Europe,” Al-Jabouri clarified.
The Iraqi lawmaker indicated that the water issue will be a key priority, especially since Ankara is using it to ensure that Turkish companies will play an effective role in the Development Road project.
Al-Jabouri explained that Iraq is actively seeking to sign a comprehensive protocol with the Turkish President related to the water issue to guarantee Iraq’s rights in the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
The Turkish President confirmed on Wednesday that the water issue will be one of the priorities on his agenda during his visit to Iraq.
In a statement to Turkish media outlets, Erdogan said that Turkey is studying requests submitted by the Iraqi side regarding the water issue.
The Turkish President emphasized that his country is seeking to solve this issue, in addition to other issues related to oil and natural gas flows to Turkey, noting that he might visit the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, Erbil, after finishing his discussions in Baghdad.