Istanbul hosting water forum puts spotlight on Turkish aquifers - Framework Agreement for the organisation of the WWF5

Amidts the gruesome scenarios concerning global warming and drought countries will seek solutions in Turkey at the Fifth World Water Forum. An agreement for Turkey to host the forum was signed last week by Energy Minister Hilmi Guler, World Water Council head Loic Fauchon and State Waterworks Authority (DSI) General Director Veysel Eroglu. Speaking at the ceremony held at DSI headquarters, Guler stated that over 15,000 experts and representatives of approximately 150 countries will attend the forum to be held in Istanbul in 2009 and that this will contribute to the promotion of Turkey.  Guler underlined that water has a vital importance for the region where Turkey is located. "Oil and water are frequently compared," said Guler. "Through changes to the Renewable Energy Law we raised the purchase guarantee of hydroelectric energy from seven years to 10 and the purchase charge was determined at not less then 5 euro cents." Guler stated that through these changes the date of putting all the water into service, set at the 100th anniversary of the republic, was moved ahead by a decade. Guler added that construction of Yusufeli and Boyabat Dams along with hundreds of small scale hydroelectric plants will be started this year. Full details.