VP, Turkish official discuss relations

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdulmahdi discussed with the special coordinator for Iraqi affairs at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Murat Ozcelik, means of boosting bilateral relations in all fields. “The two officials praised the good level of relations between the two neighboring countries and expressed their hope for further development of ties, particularly in the fields of economy and investment,” according to a statement released by Abdulmahdi’s office and received by IraqiNews.com news agency. Yesterday (May 24), Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu revealed that his government would respond to Iraq’s demands to have water flowing into its territories through the Euphrates river from 60 cubic meters/second during the past months to 500 cubic meters/second. The Iraqi government welcomed Turkey’s decision to increase Iraq’s water quota, saying it would enhance cooperation and strategic ties binding the two neighboring countries. The rivers Tigris and Euphrates are considered to be the main resource for water in Iraq. Both are flowing from the Turkish territories north of Iraq. The Tigris enters directly into the Turkish territories but the 2300-km-long Euphrates runs through Turkey and reaches Syria and then Iraq. Local residents who live in the areas where the Euphrates runs are suffering its low level due to a decrease in its flow into Iraq. SS (S) 1