The President of the Republic of Iraq, Barham Salih met with the Minister of Water Resources, Mahdi Rashid. The meeting took place at al-Salam Palace in Baghdad.

The water environmental situation in the country in addition to the reduction in the water levels of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers took a center stage at the meeting.

The water case should have a national priority for Iraq as it is an anchor for the national security of the country, President Salih stressed.

Moreover, regulating the water quotas on the principles of good neighbourliness and taking into account mutual interests is a matter of critical importance to Iraq and its neighbors as well.

Additionally, the President hailed the efforts made by the government and the Ministry of Water Resources in this aspect.

It is vital to protect water bodies and maintain dams, President Salih said. To that end, we have to develop strategic plans that would be set by the government installations in coordination with international experts in order to tackle the challenges presented by drought, desertification, and climate change.

However, these challenges have become a global crisis threatening the States of the world, especially the Middle East, he added.

Addressing climate change should have a national priority for Iraq, the President emphasized, while the initiative of the Mesopotamia Revitalization Project should be launched.

Mr. Rashid in turn briefed His Excellency President Salih about the water environmental situation and the plans being set to meet the challenges faced by the country due to the reduction of the rainwater and drought.

The current negations being held with the neighbouring States on the Iraq water quota were also a part of the conversations in the meeting.