Brussels, 22/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced during its annual regional forum in Istanbul on Friday 22 October that it is to provide a total of €600 million under two agreements to support the knowledge economy and the environment in Turkey. The first loan, for €450 million, will co-finance Turkey's national contribution to the science and technology programmes implemented by the Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBITAK) in 2010 and 2011. The aim is to promote the integration of the Turkish Research Area into the common European Research Area. The EIB also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Iller Bank for a second loan of €150 million, to be signed at a later date. This loan will finance investment schemes in the water and solid waste sector developed by local authorities throughout Turkey. The EIB says that completion of the projects, which will be co-funded by the IPA and probably also the World Bank, will constitute a major step on bringing Turkey into line with the environmental standards and policies of the European Union. (O.L./transl.rt)