Iraqi minister looks for understanding with Turkey on water issue

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AA) - The Iraqi water resources minister has expressed the desire to reach an understanding with Turkey over their shared waters.

According to a statement by the Water Resources Ministry, Mahdi Rashid al-Hamdani met the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad, Ali Riza Guney late Thursday.

Both the officials reviewed the issue of their shared waters. Al-Hamdani stressed on the importance of cooperation to administer the water flow in Tigris river.

The Turkish envoy conveyed his country's willingness to solve Iraq's water issues, and address its needs.

In June, Baghdad announced that Ankara released water in Tigris and Euphrates rivers to help address water scarcity.

Iraq depends on water from the two rivers, which flow from Turkey and Iran, but in recent years the outflow decreased due to low rainfall.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara