Iraqi PM asserts importance of boosting cooperation with Turkey in water sector

Source: Xinhua| 2019-08-01 21:48:10|Editor: Wu Qin
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BAGHDAD, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi on Thursday underscored the need of widening cooperation with Turkey on the water sector.

The Iraqi premier made his comments during his meeting with a visiting Turkish delegation headed by Veysel Eroglu, the special envoy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for water affairs, Abdul Mahdi's media office said in a statement.

Abdul Mahdi asserted the importance of boosting cooperation between the two sides in the water sector, and invited Turkey to establish joint enterprises to implement investing projects inside Iraq that create job opportunities and serve the interests of both countries, the statement said.

"The water file is important and we are heading this year to improve the agricultural sector, and we want to continue this attitude in the coming years," the statement quoted Abdul Mahdi as saying.

Thus, there "should be cooperation on better utilization of water (resources)," he said, adding that Iraq hopes to benefit from Turkey's experience in the irrigation sector.

For his part, Eroglu said that his visit came in the framework of expanding the horizon for cooperation on water sector, and he presented proposals to implement projects in land reclamation, sanitation and drinking water in Iraq.

Eroglu also proposed establishing a joint research center based in Baghdad to handle water issue between the two countries, the statement said.

On Wednesday, Eroglu met with Iraqi President Barham Salih, who highlighted the importance of boosting ties with Turkey and reaching long-term solutions over the pending water issue between the two countries.

Turkey and Iraq are sharing the water of the two major rivers of Tigris and Euphrates which flow from Turkey and pass through Iraq towards the Gulf.

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