Turkish-Arab Media Forum ends in Istanbul

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc yesterday replied to Arab reporters' questions at the end of the two-day Turkish-Arab Media Forum which was held in Istanbul. In reply to a question about the Syrian issue, Arinc said that Turkey has found the decisions taken by Arab league as appropriate, reiterating that Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has recently announced the method of applying these decisions in nine articles. "The water is the most important thing needed by Syria with regard to Turkey. If we cut off water, Syria would be greatly harmed by this. It also needs water in agricultural and other activities and thus we will not make a slightest restriction in the supply of water to Syria. Of course, it also needs electricity and we are not planning to make any restriction in electricity, either. But we have taken serious measures on the basis of state with regard to central banks, political contacts and commerce. Turkey might suffer financial losses due to these measures. But we have already taken the risk just to see that the Syrian regime decides to establish democracy as a result of these measures," Arinc said. He added that Turkey seriously considered the formation of a buffer zone in Syria as a measure to be used by Arab League, if necessary.