Egypt’s FM, US permanent representative discuss GERD issue ahead of UNSC session

CAIRO – 7 July 2021: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry concluded his meetings in New York with a bilateral meeting with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the Permanent Representative of the United States of America in the United Nations.

The meeting witnessed extensive discussions on the issue of the Renaissance Dam, and Egypt’s stance regarding Ethiopia’s escalation after announcing the beginning of the second phase of filling.

The US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said in his daily Briefing that Ethiopia’s second filling for GERD is a unilateral action which is ‘fair to say that is a potential to raise tensions’ between parties.”

“When it come to the GERD, we have continued to support collaborative and constructive efforts by the countries involved [ Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan] to reach an enduring arrangement.” Price said, adding: “We understand of course the importance of the Nile waters to all three of these countries and we continue to encourage a resumption of dialogue that we hope is productive and substantive and constructive.”

Egypt’s Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Ati received on Monday an official letter from his Ethiopian counterpart Seleshi Bekele confirming that Ethiopia started the second phase of filling the reservoir of its controversial mega dam.

Ethiopia has reiterated its plans to implement the second phase of filling in July and through the rainy season whether a deal is reached or not.

Rounds of African Union-sponsored talks have collapsed with Egypt and Sudan blaming the collapse of negotiations on Ethiopia’s intransigence.

In response to Bekele’s Monday letter, Abdel Ati sent an official letter to the Ethiopian minister voicing Egypt’s categorical rejection of Ethiopia’s unilateral act, a statement by the Egyptian irrigation ministry spokesman.

This comes days before a planned session on GERD at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday.