BAGHDAD, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi President Barham Salih on Wednesday highlighted the importance of boosting ties with Turkey and reaching long-term solutions over the pending water issue between the two countries.
A statement by the presidency's media office said Salih made the comments during his meeting in Baghdad with the Veysel Eroglu, the special envoy of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for water affairs.
In the meeting, Salih stressed the need to "find a long-term and mutually satisfactory resolution to outstanding Iraqi-Turkish water issue," according to the statement.
He confirmed that water issue "has priority in Iraqi-Turkish discussions" and expressed optimism that a solution could be found that guarantees the rights of both countries, the statement said.
Eroglu conveyed Erdogan's personal greetings to Salih, and his wishes for the development and prosperity of Iraq, it added.
Turkey and Iraq are sharing the water of the two major rivers of Tigris and Euphrates which flow from Turkey and pass through Iraqi territory towards the Gulf. The shares of water issue have long been problematic between two countries.
