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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Sunday signed the “Mechanism Document for the Financing of Projects under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Water” between the governments of Türkiye and Iraq.
The signing came a moment after Hussein described the agreement as “historic” and highlighted deep geographical and historical ties between the two countries.
In remarks Sunday following talks with Fidan in Baghdad, Hussein said, “We previously held extensive meetings in Ankara on water and reached agreements there. These agreements have turned into a memorandum of understanding.
A historic agreement that includes water management will be signed in a few hours. This agreement is a first in the history of Iraq–Türkiye relations.”
Hussein emphasized that Iraq and Türkiye share longstanding ties and mutual interests in trade, economy, and energy.
Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad after talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Hussein said the agreement marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
Following the meeting, the “Mechanism Document for the Financing of Projects under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Water between the Government of the Republic of Türkiye and the Government of the Republic of Iraq” was signed by Minister Fidan and Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hussein.
“We previously held extensive meetings in Ankara on water and reached agreements there. These agreements have turned into a memorandum of understanding. A historic agreement that includes water management will be signed in a few hours. This agreement is a first in the history of Iraq–Türkiye relations,” Hussein said earlier.
Iraq relies heavily on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, which both originate in Türkiye. Iraqi authorities say major Turkish dam projects, including the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), have reduced water flows and contributed to drought, desertification, and environmental degradation.
They also underline that Iraq’s water crisis stems from climate change, declining rainfall, weak resource management, and upstream water projects in Türkiye and Iran.
The absence of a comprehensive water-sharing agreement has left Iraq vulnerable to unilateral actions affecting its water security.
According to Turkish officials, the mechanism signed on Sunday sets out regulations for the effective implementation of the “Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Water,” concluded during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad on April 22, 2024.
The mechanism provides for financing projects through a system based on Iraqi oil sales, with Turkish companies undertaking modernization and infrastructure works to ensure efficient, effective, and sustainable use of Iraq’s water resources.
Under the arrangement, Türkiye aims to increase its contribution to improving Iraq’s water infrastructure and more efficient use of shared resources.
The Framework Agreement and the financing mechanism document mark a new phase in economic and trade cooperation, with Turkish contracting firms expected to gain improved access to Iraq’s market and additional opportunities in strategic projects.
With water resources declining across the region due to climate change, the agreement underscores the importance of long-term, cooperative approaches to addressing water scarcity.
Addressing the issue of the PKK, Hussein said Iraq supports negotiations between Ankara and the group.
“As Iraq, we strongly support the negotiations conducted between the Turkish government and the PKK. We hope an agreement will be reached on this matter,” he said.
“There are armed elements affiliated with the PKK on Iraqi territory. The PKK’s leadership has announced that the organization will be dissolved, and its armed elements will also be dissolved. We hope both sides reach a concrete solution for security and stability in Makhmour and Sinjar, where PKK members are located.”
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The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the EU, convened a congress in May and announced its dissolution following a call in February by imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan to end its decades-long armed campaign.
The group later declared that its remaining armed elements inside Türkiye have begun withdrawing to Iraq.
A statement delivered near Mount Qandil in northern Iraq said the decision was taken during the May congress under Ocalan’s guidance and that the group would end its armed activities.
In its more than 40-year armed campaign against Türkiye, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including civilians, women, children and the elderly.
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