Iraq’s new and important trump card to pressure Turkey.
According to Al-Furat News, Aoun Dhiab, the Iraqi Minister of Water Resources, announced the upcoming meetings between Iraq and Turkey to investigate the water issue, as well as a new lever to pressure Turkey.
He added: “Turkey is effective in a major part of Iraq’s water share, especially in the Euphrates River, to the extent of 90%.” There are rules set out in agreements, including the 1997 and 1992 United Nations Framework Agreements for water management among riparian countries. Turkey did not sign these two agreements for not adhering to these laws, but Iraq was the first country in the region to sign the 1992 agreement. Iraq adheres to these two agreements, which contain texts in accordance with the needs of countries of water origin.
The Minister of Water Resources of Iraq also said: We have areas that have suffered from water shortages and as a result, have migrated, and Turkey is supposed to commit not to harm Iraq, and we asked them to share in these harms. Detailed studies and research have proven that Iraq does not need large reservoir dams and we are currently updating the studies according to the climate changes and developments that have occurred inside Turkey.
He added: We have a memorandum of understanding with the Turkish side that was approved in 2021, but it has not been implemented until now, and for this reason, a large delegation from Turkey came to Iraq last May. An Iraqi technical delegation will travel to Turkey next Monday, and Turkey will send a delegation to Iraq in July to implement the terms of the agreement.
Diyab continued: Iraq now has a new and important trump card that is very influential on the Turkish side, and that is the development road. It is in the interest of Turkey to cooperate with Iraq and it should know that the stability of the situation in Iraq affects the entire region.
The Minister of Water Resources of Iraq also emphasized the language of dialogue and diplomacy with the Turkish side to solve the water problem in Iraq.
