Peregraf- Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Friday that Baghdad and Ankara have reached an “urgent agreement” on water management following high-level talks in the Turkish capital.
Speaking alongside his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Hussein said that the central focus of the visit was addressing the water crisis, a pressing issue for both countries. “We have reached an agreement with the Turkish side on how to deal with and manage water,” Hussein stated, emphasizing that the matter remains a top priority for Iraq. He added that the understanding reflects the depth of bilateral relations and Baghdad’s commitment to working with its neighbor on long-term solutions.
For his part, Fidan acknowledged that Turkey also faces significant challenges due to declining water resources. “Like Iraq, we are suffering from a water crisis and we must work on a common strategy to deal with it,” he said. The Turkish foreign minister noted that the two sides discussed practical measures to address the issue and stressed the need for sustained cooperation.
The talks also touched on broader regional concerns. Fidan welcomed the recent resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region to Turkey, describing it as “a promising step,” while also praising Iraq’s position on the Syrian conflict and its continued efforts in the fight against ISIS.
Hussein reaffirmed Baghdad’s satisfaction with the restart of exports, which he said was made possible through coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq’s federal authorities. He further highlighted that beyond water, Iraq and Turkey are bound by common security concerns and a shared interest in stability.
The agreement comes as both countries face mounting domestic and regional challenges, with water scarcity increasingly threatening agriculture, livelihoods, and economic growth across the region.