Turkey, Syria and Iraq on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding for the use of water resource of Euphrates and Tigris rivers in Ankara, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

Turkish Minister of Forestry and Environment Veysel Eroglu was quoted as saying that his government paid high attention to developing cooperation between Turkey, Syria and Iraq and that they will do what is needed for the use of water resource.

Eroglu signed the MoU with Iraqi Water Resources Minister Latif Rashid and Syrian Irrigation Minister Nader al-Buni following their ministerial meeting on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in Ankara.

He said the MoU focused on the establishment of joint measurement stations on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, exchange of meteorological information, observation of water amount that goes into Syria and Iraq every season, and evaluation of the impact of climate change on the two rivers.

"We favor the development of cooperation between Turkey, Syria and Iraq. We will do whatever is necessary for this goal," said Eroglu.

"There is shortage of water due to drought. We are aware of this situation. We will take into consideration the demand of Syria and Iraq. If we have the water, we will not be in a position to not share this water with our neighbors," he added.

Source: Xinhua