“The economic crisis in Turkey and the rising of dollar rate against the lira will be reflected on its economy ... therefore, it was very important for Turkey to have cooperation and understanding with Iraq,” Saad al-Hadithi told the state-owned Iraqi News Agency (INA) on Wednesday.
The Turkish lira has lost 43 percent of its value compared to the US dollar so far in 2018.
Abadi’s visit to Turkey was important for Iraq “to gain its water share, which meets our needs, agricultural needs, and others,” Hadithi said. Iraq is suffering a water crisis, which is partly blamed on the massive dam projects Turkey is building on the Tigris River.
According to the UN, 80 percent of Iraqi water flows in from neighboring countries.
During their meeting in Ankara, Abadi and Erdogan discussed water scarcity, oil, Turkey’s currency concerns, a new border crossing at Fishkhabur, and the re-opening of consulates in Mosul and Basra.
“There is a mutual interest which connects this neighboring country to Iraq, most importantly in terms of business and economy,” Hadithi said.
“Turkey now understands its political views are very much in line with Iraq after two years of crisis between both countries.”
Abadi revealed Iraq’s National Security Council is preparing a plan for improving security on the Iraq-Turkey border. The porous border is frequently crossed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an armed group which fights for greater political and cultural rights in Turkey.
Baghdad and Ankara have agreed to increase the volume of trade between them from $11 billion to $15 billion.
The Iraqi PM was also due to visit Iran this week, but Tehran cancelled the trip on Sunday amid a diplomatic spat over US sanctions.
