Turkish Environment & Forestry Minister Veysel Eroglu said on Friday that Turkey and Syria would jointly construct "Friendship Dam" on River Asi, Anadolu News Agency reported.
"Foundation of the Friendship Dam will be laid on February 6," Eroglu said speaking to reporters in southern province of Adana.
Eroglu said efforts have been underway for two years for the construction of the dam, "Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Utri will lay the foundation of the dam on February 6.
"This is an important dam with respect to Turkey's friendship with Syria. There will also be energy production in the dam. The dam will be constructed near Ziyaret village, which is at the border," Eroglu said. Asked to comment on water transportation project to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Eroglu said construction of Alakopru Dam on Dragon Stream started. He said the dam would be constructed in four years, "within the scope of the project works, construction of pipeline between Anamur and Girne would continue for two years," he added. Eroglu said 75 million cubic meters water would be transported annually to TRNC.