Syria, Iraq hold talks on cooperation to fight desertification and land degradation

Minister of Local Administration and Environment Hussein Makhlouf and the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture Mohammad Karim Al-Khafaji discussed during a meeting on Saturday enhancing bilateral relations and joint action in the field of environment. They also discussed cooperation with the Arab Center for the Studies of Dry Lands and Arid Zones (ACSAD) to find mechanisms for fighting desertification and dealing with rain shortage caused by climate changes.

 Makhlouf told journalists following the meeting that the two sides agreed on exchanging expertise regarding the protection of environment and the reduction of pollution and desertification and on reactivating the agreement signed previously between Syria and Iraq in this respect. He pointed out that the aim is to strengthen the agricultural sector in both countries, particularly in the light of the Turkish occupation’s crime of cutting water supplies for the citizens in Hasaka and of building dams on the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers to deprive Syria from water.  

 Makhlouf also noted the need that Syria and Iraq should work integrally to find joint solutions for the sand dunes issue and to intensify work in environment protection-related fields.

On his part, the Iraqi minister stressed Iraq’s keenness on identifying the environment projects that have been carried out in Syria in order to benefit from this experience, expressing hope that a mechanism to solve the problem of water shortage should be found with the aim of preserving the planted areas.

Hamda Mustafa