MENL, ABU DHABI – Iran and Kuwait have signed what was described as a strategic water accord.
Under the accord, Iran has pledged to supply Kuwait with fresh water through a pipeline that will run under the Persian Gulf. Kuwait expects to receive 900,000 cubic meters of water per day in an arrangement scheduled to begin in 2007 and last 30 years.
Arab diplomatic sources said the agreement was meant to bolster Iranian strategic ties with Kuwait and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Iran has signed a security and military cooperation accord with Kuwait.
The water agreement was signed on Saturday during the visit by Kuwaiti Energy Minister Ahmed Fahd Al Sabah to Teheran. The signing followed a memorandum of understanding for water cooperation in January 2003.
Kuwait depends almost entirely on seawater desalination for its fresh water requirements. The sheikdom desalinates 300 million gallons of water per day.
