'Unprecedented gains', political praise for the PM visit to Turkey

INA - BAGHDAD 

By focusing on sensitive files with a direct impact on the economy and water files, the visit of PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani to Turkey succeeded in achieving what was required, expected and unprecedented.

This led to achieve two important accomplishments. First, is transforming Iraq into a pathway for international trade, which provides great economic gains and enhances Baghdad's pivotal role in the region. Second, doubling the releases of the Tigris River to secure sufficient water reserves for the summer.

Politicians and academics considered the government's management of foreign relations, which is being strengthened day after day with a new achievement, as confirmation of its success in activating Iraq's pivotal role and investing it in achieving gains at various levels. This did not stop at the limits of what was achieved in Turkey, but rather exceeded it a short time ago due to the diplomatic success of Iraqi mediation that culminated in negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore relations between the two countries.


Politicians: The obvious will of Iraq succeeded in obtaining water rights

The representative of the State of Law coalition, Alia Nssaief, told the Iraqi News Agency - INA that "the president's visit to Turkey differs from its predecessors, as it discussed very important files. This time it was with a clear and sincere Iraqi will that brought good and unprecedented results at the level of water quotas, which are governed by international laws. The Iraqi delegation made it clear by obligating international law and bilateral agreements guaranteeing water shares between upstream and downstream countries, so that Iraq succeeds in obtaining water rights."

"The Prime Minister opened an important issue during the visit, which is the security file, and affirmed Iraq's rejection of the presence of the Workers' Party on its land. He stressed the government's rejection of any military presence or activity against the countries of the region. This file is dangerous and important," She added.

She highlighted, "There is another important issue that the prime minister addressed during the visit, which is the agreements related to the recovery of the corrupt, and this is a qualitative development at this stage."

In turn, the leader of the Victory Coalition, Ahmed Al-Wendi, confirmed to INA that "the file of foreign relations is important in measuring the success of government administration or not, especially since the file of regional relations enjoys a special dynamism, affecting the paths of domestic politics and determining the type of foreign policy."

He noted, "PM Al-Sudani succeeded in managing this file. The starting point of Iraqi foreign policy is balance and non-alignment towards a pivotal policy. This is what we were able to achieve during the era of the new government after a period of isolation."

"Iraq has a huge trade history with the Turkish Republic, and the Prime Minister is aware of the importance of the economic file in negotiating with the Turkish side. The results after his visit must be followed up and remain within the negotiating space until they are achieved," he stressed.

He pointed out that, "Iraq is about to play a pivotal role in defining the features of the region in the next stage. We are calling for the government to seek a strong and capable Iraq."


Analysts and academics: The economics sheet succeeded in creating Turkish flexibility in the face of Iraqi demands

The political analyst Haider Al-Barzanji asserted to INA that "among the results achieved from the visit of PM Al-Sudani, are water releases and agreement on a set of minutes, including security, in addition to trade exchange, strengthening the role of companies operating in Iraq and opening economic prospects in return for that repeated attacks are stopped."

He noted, "These achievements were not achieved in previous governments, and there is seriousness and effectiveness of the current government in diplomatic moves, managing the economic and security files," pointing out that "the policy is pragmatic, and this was stated by the Turkish president at the press conference, as he was certain that the government of Al-Sudani possesses the ability and strength to manage the file of bilateral relations, which was not previously managed properly. The results of the visit are on the economic and international level as security and water has not been achieved before."

In turn, the analyst, Ghalib Al-Daami, indicated to INA that "a successful state is one that extends good and balanced relations with the rest of the world, and the interest of its people and state prevails over factional interests, so there are no enmities, but rather permanent interests that prove a reality in the international community. Our interest is important."

He explained that "one of the most important results of the Prime Minister's visit to Turkey is the increase in water releases, and if Iraq succeeds in neutralizing the Workers' Party movement, Turkey will open up a lot to Iraq in wide areas. What we need from Turkey is two pathways for Iraqi oil and gas in addition to a fair share of water," pointing to "the importance of improving Iraq's relations with neighboring countries to reflect positively for the benefit of the Iraqi people."

The researcher in political and strategic affairs, Muhammed Al-Jazairi, explained to INA that "PM Al-Sudani's visit to Ankara carried with it many outstanding files between the two parties. Some problems and matters that began to exacerbate, such as the water and economic files," explaining that "the prime minister obtained some privileges in this visit, including an increase in water releases in the Tigris River, as well as economic agreements and high understanding."

He pointed out that "Iraq began today to use the economic and trade file with Turkey in order to obtain some gains, as the Turkish response now is the beginning of the end of this crisis," highlighting that "the economic file affects the Turkish side and the development road project made it more flexible with the Iraqi demands."

"Also, according to the opinions of geologists, water storage in Turkey at current levels will put pressure on the earth's crust, especially since the Anatolian plate is exposed to tremors and crises. So, the approval of releasing water comes with the requirements of Iraq and with the desire and Turkish economic interest," he noted.

Earlier, PM Al-Sudani concluded on Wednesday, his official visit to Turkey, confirming the agreement with Ankara to form Iraqi-Turkish committees to secure fair shares of water, and also considering that the development path project is one of its most important fruits, describing it as "a vital project for the whole world."

He also confirmed, earlier on Tuesday, that the development road project 'the dry channel' between Iraq and Turkey will link the east with the west.