MOA: Expanded talks with Syria to secure water dues

Baghdad - INA

The Ministry of Agriculture revealed today, Sunday, extensive discussions with Syria to secure water dues, while indicating that investment is the best solution for establishing vegetation cover projects .

The ministry's spokesman, Hamid Al-Nayef, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "So far, there is no agreement with the Turkish, Iranian and Syrian sides regarding Iraq's water dues," stressing "the importance of Iraq taking its water rights."

He added that "the water cut off from the Great Zab and the Small Zab has affected the provinces of the region and Diyala and the agricultural plan," stressing that "there is an extensive discussion with Syria, in order to secure water dues."

He pointed out that "Iraq has between 10 to 15 million uncultivated dunams, which are suitable for cultivation, but they need water."

Regarding vegetation cover projects, he explained that "saving water is one of the important factors for providing vegetation cover, as it is not possible to cultivate a single dunam without the approval of the Ministry of Water Resources," noting that "investment is the best way to establish vegetation cover projects."