Baghdad: Today’s newspapers in Baghdad highlighted the visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Iraq’s capital and the signing of the executive mechanism for the water cooperation agreement between Iraq and Turkey. This development is seen as a crucial step in managing water resources, a key concern for both nations.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sabah newspaper reported that the signing of the executive mechanism is considered a strategic transformation in water management. The agreement is the outcome of a comprehensive diplomatic and developmental process initiated by the Iraqi government to address water scarcity challenges through joint projects aimed at optimizing resource use. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who oversaw the signing ceremony between Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, emphasized the agreement’s role as a strategic solution to Iraq’s water crisis. Al-Sudani highlighted the global nature of the water crisis, which im
pacts food and economic security, stressing the need for responsible regional cooperation.
The Prime Minister also noted that the financing mechanism agreement would bolster bilateral relations and expand economic partnerships with Turkey. He underscored the importance of following up on the outcomes of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s previous visit to Baghdad. Al-Sabah newspaper also reported President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid’s meeting with the Turkish foreign minister, where he advocated for fair water-sharing policies that respect Iraq’s historical rights to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Al-Zawraa newspaper addressed the current water crisis in Iraq, noting that the Ministry of Water Resources disclosed that the country is receiving less than one-third of its water share from neighboring nations, with storage levels falling below 6%. Ministry spokesperson Khaled Shamal stated that the water issue is a priority in future agreements with Turkey, emphasizing its significance to national securit
y. Shamal clarified that water negotiations with neighboring countries, including Turkey, Syria, and Iran, are now considered matters of sovereignty and must be prioritized in diplomatic discussions.
Al-Zaman newspaper reported that following Minister Fidan’s visit, Turkey released nearly one billion cubic meters of water to Iraq, a gesture seen as a positive indication of enhanced cooperation. The paper quoted Turhan Al-Mufti, the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Water Affairs, highlighting the government’s strategic use of economic leverage in negotiations to secure Iraq’s water rights. Al-Mufti expressed hope that the recent talks could lead to further water releases.
He also identified external factors affecting Iraq’s water crisis, including climate change’s significant impact on the region, which has resulted in reduced rainfall and shifted precipitation patterns. Al-Mufti noted that Iraq ranks among the top 15 countries affected by climate change, with substantial consequences for water resources in the
Tigris and Euphrates basins. He explained that reduced rainfall in upstream countries has led to shared damage, affecting water availability as Turkey and Iran utilize portions of the rivers’ waters before passing them to Iraq, exacerbating the water scarcity issue.