Ankara, (SANA)-In the framework of President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Turkey, Foreign Ministers of Syria and Turkey signed Wednesday a memo of understanding. According to the memo, Syria and Turkey will make use of the free trade agreement, came in to effect in 2007, in giving momentum to efforts directed towards pushing bilateral ties forwards. Both sides will encourage the Syrian and Turkish companies to increase investments and boost economic relations along border areas and communications among the local authorities.Improving the infrastructure in transportation filed between the two countries will serve all different kinds of domains including economic and trade ties. In this regard, efforts will be exerted to enhance transport opportunities and adopt exchangeable procedures to facilitate crossing between the two countries, the memorandum said.It also included that Turkey will continue exerting best efforts to share its expertise and available information in public funds, banking and offering technical help to Syria."The memo goal is to fulfill the oil pipeline and Arab natural gas in addition to finishing a part linking between Homs –Kilis and boost the standing cooperation between the Turkish and Syrian Oil companies," the memo stated. The memo called for establishing cooperation on the Euphrates and Tigris basin based on sustainable water development and in this framework both sides will exchange visits, viewpoints and ideas.It added that efforts will be exerted to realize the proposed project to build joint dam on Orontes river as soon as possible and finalize the precocious warning system to avoid floods in this basin as well as exploring opportunities to develop joint irrigation projects in this region .

Thawra, Mazen