A New Process Starts Regarding Water Issue Between Turkey And Syria

ANKARA - Turkey and Syria have reached a consensus on Wednesday on starting negotiations again regarding the water issue during the contacts of Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa Miru in Ankara.
Turkey wants the water issue, which has been on the agenda between two countries since 1993, but has not been negotiated, to be taken up within the scope of cooperation.
While the activities are foreseen to be held as ''cooperation for two rivers and one basin'', it is not clear yet whether the negotiations will be held by a ''joint committee''.
Washington-Damascus tension was also brought onto agenda during contacts of Miru. Ankara inculcated Damascus not to increase the tension during meetings.
Fight against terrorist organization PKK/KADEK was also taken up during the meetings and Ankara was pleased with the attitude of Damascus regarding the issue.
(GC-AÖ) 30.07.2003