Baghdad: Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced significant discussions regarding water management with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan. The two nations are set to sign a landmark document to outline the management of water resources shared between Iraq and Turkey.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the announcement was made at a joint press conference where Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the collaborative efforts between the two countries. He highlighted that since the historic visit of the Turkish President in 2014, numerous agreements have been signed, and it is crucial to ensure their implementation into actionable results.
Fidan further elaborated on the intensive cooperation across various sectors such as security, energy, water, trade, customs, and transportation. He underscored the importance of peace, development, integration, and cooperation in the region, advocating for strategies that can transform the area into a prosperous and stable zone, contributing to global development.
The Turkish minister acknowledged Iraq’s recent challenges but expressed confidence in its trajectory towards stability and peace. He assured Turkey’s support for Iraq’s security and prosperity and mentioned ongoing efforts in Syria, working alongside Iraq and neighboring countries for regional security and stability.
Fidan also spoke on the importance of solving regional problems internally, without relying on external interventions. He noted that the imminent agreement on water management represents the culmination of over two and a half years of dedicated work and marks the largest water infrastructure initiative in Iraq’s history. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing projects in the energy sector, including the restart of oil pipelines and prospective collaborations in gas and electricity.
On the topic of combating terrorism, Fidan commented on the PKK’s decision to dissolve itself, urging the cessation of all armed activities across Iraq, Syria, and Iran to enhance security and stability in the region.
Emphasizing the historical ties between Turkey and Iraq, Fidan expressed hope for the success of the upcoming Iraqi elections on November 11. He assured Turkey’s continued cooperation with the Iraqi government and conveyed respect for the democratic will of the Iraqi people.
In closing, Minister Fidan expressed gratitude for the hospitality of the Iraqi people and revealed plans for continued discussions with senior officials on strategic and operational issues, promising to update the public on the outcomes of these meetings.