Eroglu denies plans to commercialize water resources

Inaugurating a water exhibit as part of this week's Fifth World Water Forum in Istanbul, Environment and Forestry Minister Veysel Eroglu yesterday said that the government has no plan to commercialize water resources, adding that these resources belong to the state and that the only issue is their proper, effective management and utilization. To this end, private companies could build hydroelectric power stations, Eroglu said. He also said that cross-border water disputes should be solved by the countries involved, without outside intervention.