Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi

Öz

Originating in the mountains of eastern Turkey and flowing into Syria and Iraq Euphrates and Tigris Rivers are the most important fresh water resources in the region. Before joining the sea at the head of the Persian Gulf, these rivers unite in Southern Iraq, and combined flow called Shatt al-Arab empties into the Gulf. The study researches how much the co-riparian States utilize waters of these rivers and how much they contribute waters to the rivers altogether with their projects. Under the factors set forth in the documents of international water law economic, social and agricultural needs of each country to water are analysed respectively. Using and sharing waters of these rivers in the context of principle of equitable and reasonable utilization require coordination and sustainable water management among co-riparian countries. The factors affecting equitable and reasonable utilization of water are researched in the study so as to be took into consideration by region States to base their water policies on the criteria of international water law.