Iraq and Turkey sign agreement on water infrastructure projects in Iraq

Iraq and Turkey signed an agreement on Sunday that will use oil sales revenue to fund water infrastructure projects to be completed by Turkish companies, according to a Turkish official.

According to a statement from the prime minister’s office in Iraq, the two nations have agreed on an implementation framework for a water cooperation agreement they inked last year. It omitted information about the mechanism.

The Turkish official stated that the Iraqi government will form a committee to oversee water infrastructure projects and request bids from Turkish businesses. The projects will be funded by the proceeds from Iraqi oil sales to Turkey.

Three water harvesting dam projects and three land reclamation projects are part of the first set of projects anticipated under the agreement, according to an Iraqi water resources official.

During a visit to Baghdad in April 2024, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan signed the initial framework water deal, signaling the beginning of a new chapter of improved relations between the two neighbors following years of tense relations.

Since around 70% of Iraq’s water supplies come from its neighbors, particularly through the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the two nations have long struggled with the country’s limited water supplies. Both travel via Turkey.