The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, stressed the importance of reaching understandings between Iraq and Turkey regarding obtaining a fair and sufficient share of water that covers the necessary needs of the people, indicating in this regard that Iraq is suffering from a severe water crisis that greatly affected the overall life due to the decrease in the flow of transboundary waters in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and their tributaries.

This came during the reception of the President of the Republic at the Baghdad Palace today, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein.

A Presidential statement stated, "The President of the Republic stressed during the meeting the depth of the historical relations that bind the two neighboring countries, and the importance of working to strengthen and develop them and expand horizons of cooperation in the economic, commercial and environmental fields, and the water and energy file, in a way that serves the mutual interests of the Iraqi and Turkish peoples."

The Turkish Minister indicated, "It is hoped that the Turkish Minister of Trade will visit Iraq next week, as the President expressed his hope that the visit will contribute to the advancement of bilateral relations."

Rashid stressed the importance of absorbing all aspects, especially the water crisis that both sides bear, explaining the seriousness of the Iraqi side in making unremitting efforts to rationalize water use, rehabilitate irrigation and sanitation systems through the use of modern technologies, improve water management and build dams and reservoirs.

For his part, Minister Fidan affirmed, "Turkey is keen to find radical solutions to the water problem, and there is continuous follow-up by his government to address the water shortage in Iraq, expressing his hope that a joint meeting will be held between the experts of the two countries to reach actual solutions, stressing that his country is committed to supporting Iraq's efforts." In consolidating its security and stability, and wishing to consolidate the relations that bind the two countries since ancient times, in a way that achieves common interests.

He pointed out that "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is determined to visit Iraq to follow up the existing issues in addition to the files included in the visit program, as President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid welcomed President Erdogan's visit to Baghdad."

In conclusion, "the security situation, the importance of preventing security breaches and abuses, and the need to respect national sovereignty were discussed."

Source: National Iraqi News Agency