Jeddah: Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, underscored the importance of regulating water releases to foster mutual interests and safeguard the water security of both Iraq and Turkey.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement indicating that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein met with Hakan Fidan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meetings in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The statement highlighted that both ministers engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Iraq and Turkey, focusing particularly on shared issues such as oil, water, and oil pipelines. They also addressed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) issue and its impact on regional security and stability.

Further, the statement detailed the dialogue on existing agreements between Iraq and Turkey concerning water management, emphasizing the significance of regulating water releases to serve common interests and protect the water security of both nations. The Turkish minister acknowledged the effective operations of Turkish businessmen in Iraq and their role in executing development projects, while also expressing Ankara’s intention to broaden economic and investment cooperation.