A handout satellite image shows a closeup view of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia June 26, 2020. Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies via REUTERS
CAIRO – 16 August 2020: The Egyptian ministers of Foreign affairs and Irrigation participated Sunday in a tripartite meeting than included Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to resume the negotiations of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Egypt participated in Today’s meeting after being invited by South Africa which is the chairperson of the African Union, it was agreed to resume the negotiations on Tuesday.
The Egyptian part asserted the importance of reaching a binding agreement on the filling and operating of the Dam in order to protect the water rights of the three involved countries.
The Egyptian part pointed out that it is ready to resume the negotiations as per the outcomes of the AU mini-summit held on July 21st, reported a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
During the meeting, the Sudanese part requested postponing the negotiations for a week to have internal consultations in the light of the latest developments taking place between the three involved parts.
Earlier this month, Ethiopia affirmed that they will not sign on any agreement that would require passing specific shares for water from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to the downstream countries; Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dina Mufti said.
The Ethiopian announcement triggered Egyptian and Sudanese objection to the unilateral acts of Ethiopia on filling the reservoir of GERD without reaching an agreement with the downstream countries.
Comments
Leave a Comment