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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan acknowledged Friday that water scarcity has become a pressing challenge for Türkiye as well as Iraq, expressing solidarity with Iraqi citizens struggling with severe water shortages.
"The waters of the Euphrates and Tigris belong to all of us," Fidan said during a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein at the Foreign Ministry. "We are brothers in this geography."
Fidan directly addressed residents of Baghdad, Mosul and Basra, saying Turkish officials understand the difficulties they face. He noted that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is well aware of the problems confronting Iraqi citizens and that Türkiye's State Hydraulic Works has worked throughout the summer to assist where possible, following presidential directives.
The water shortage stems from climate change-driven drought affecting the entire region, Fidan explained. Türkiye faces its own constraints with low reservoir levels, reduced seasonal rainfall and electricity generation dependent on water supplies, he said.
"We know that by the time the rivers reach Basra, the water has decreased and weakened even more," Fidan said. "We know it affects agriculture and farmers there. We are aware that our brothers there need more water."
Two years ago, Türkiye and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani agreed to establish a joint mechanism to fully resolve water issues, Fidan said. The countries formed a working committee to rehabilitate Iraq's water distribution system and related infrastructure.
Technical delegations from both countries met Friday to examine the issue in detail, including representatives from Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and State Hydraulic Works.
Sudani became the first Iraqi leader to systematically address water distribution rehabilitation on a project basis, Fidan noted, though implementing these projects requires establishing systems that are now nearing completion.
"Our hope is that this system will be established as soon as possible and rehabilitation projects will be implemented, because this water shortage is not just today's problem, it will continue to be a problem for future years," Fidan said.
Technical teams from both sides have been sharing data and working professionally with mutual trust, he added, noting that while consultation doesn't eliminate water scarcity, it helps manage the reality through rehabilitation projects and other measures.
The foreign minister described Erdogan's April 22, 2024 visit to Iraq as a turning point in bilateral relations, with momentum continuing through Sudani's May 8 visit to Türkiye.
With Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for Nov. 11, Fidan said Türkiye will respect the Iraqi people's will and maintain full commitment to advancing cooperation regardless of electoral outcomes.
Türkiye has established a mutual understanding with Iraq on counterterrorism and security, Fidan said, noting Iraqi authorities' support for Türkiye's "Terrorism-Free Turkey" process.
Fidan welcomed the Sept. 27 resumption of oil shipments through the Iraq-Turkey crude oil pipeline as a "gratifying development." He expressed confidence that reaching full capacity would significantly contribute to bilateral relations and trade volume.
The countries are working to increase electricity trade capacity and Turkish firms seek roles in developing Iraq's energy infrastructure, he said. Türkiye also provides full support to the Development Road Project and will intensify efforts to implement it as soon as possible, Fidan added.
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Türkiye views constructive engagement between Iraq and Syria positively and remains ready to assist, Fidan said. He emphasized the importance of regional countries developing productive relationships with Syria in the new era.
"For the establishment of regional security and stability, the strengthening of relations between Iraq and Syria is of great importance," Fidan said.
He praised Iraq's efforts to consolidate Syria's territorial integrity and unity, and welcomed Iraqi authorities' work against ISIS, including comprehensive efforts to repatriate Iraqi citizens from camps and prisons in northeastern Syria.
Türkiye supports the strategic policy of emptying camps and prisons in northeastern Syria as a matter of principle, with each country reclaiming its own citizens, Fidan added.
Addressing the Gaza ceasefire that took effect Friday, Fidan stressed the importance of implementing the agreement without incident.
"It is important that there is no provocation from Israel that would restart the war, continue the genocide, continue the displacement," he said.
The first phase focuses on ceasefire, hostages and humanitarian aid. Subsequent phases will address Gaza's governance and restoration of internal security and order, requiring sustained international attention and careful management, Fidan said.
Fidan also announced the successful evacuation of Turkish citizens and activists after Israel seized ships from the Global Sumud Fleet and Freedom Fleet Coalition.
"We evacuated all our citizens, including three members of parliament, without anyone getting hurt," he said.
The operation extended beyond Turkish nationals, with 76 activists from 21 countries evacuated in a second phase conducted Friday. Only a few individuals from certain nations remained due to ongoing procedures, Fidan said.
He thanked Turkish Airlines for its cooperation in the operation's logistical aspects, noting the carrier's readiness to provide aircraft whenever needed.
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