Kabul pledges commitment to Water Treaty with Iran

KABUL (Tolo News): The Islamic Emirate said it is ready to discuss the issues related to the Helmand river treaty between Kabul and Teheran and that it remains committed to the treaty. Earlier, the first Vice President of Iran, Mohammad Mokhber, called on the Islamic Emirate to resolve the issue of the water treaty between Afghanistan and Iran.
The deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Inamullah Samangani, said that Afghanistan is facing a lack of water. “The Islamic Emirate is ready to solve the concerns of Iran through negotiations,” he said.
The Iranian first vice president insisted Afghanistan’s foreign ministry pursue the issue of the water treaty between Afghanistan and Iran. “The Afghan delegation must stay committed to the (water) treaty which is based on international norms and that allows access to the people of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, and it should be resolved soon,” he said.
However, analysts believe that Iran is overstepping its claims with the water treaty. “There is a need for a water (measuring) instrument to be installed to measure the amount of water so these claims would be prevented,” said Najib Aqa Fahim, an international relations analyst.
“It is not good that the two neighboring countries engage in disagreements over a document which already exists. It is better to assess the documents and take steps to adhere to them,” said Hameeduallah Yalani, an economist. According to the 1973 treaty, Afghanistan is committed to sharing the water from Helmand River with Iran at the rate of 26 cubic meters of water per second, or 850 million cubic meters per annum.