ANKARA - Environment and Forestry Minister Osman Pepe said on Tuesday that the forest areas in Turkey increased by 550,000 hectares in the last 30 years.
Pepe received the same day Mongolian Ambassador to Turkey Panidjunai Khaliun. Speaking in the meeting, Khaliun said that Turkey and Mongolia had similarities in respect of nature. Noting that Mongolia wanted to improve cooperation in fields of forest and environment, Khaliun submitted a file prepared to make cooperation in this field with Turkey to Minister Pepe during the meeting.
Pepe said in his part that there were historical ties between Turkey and Mongolia, adding that his ministry received in July the document asking for signing of an environmental cooperation agreement between the two countries. Pepe said that the studies on the issue continued, adding that Turkey wanted to share its experience with Mongolia.
Pointing out that important steps were taken to develop forest lands in Turkey, Pepe said that Turkey carried out studies in a field of 12,000 hectares to fight with erosion and for afforestation this year.
Pepe stated that protection of environment and forests was no longer a national concern, but an international issue.
(Öª-AÖ) 12.08.2003