Egyptian presidency spox: Ethiopia has the right in development and Egypt seeks binding GERD deal within specific timeframe

CAIRO – 16 September 2021: Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radi affirmed Ethiopia’s right in development but affirmed the need to reach a legally binding agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam within a given timeframe.

In a telephone interview with Al-Hayah TV on Thursday, Radi hailed a statement issued by the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday encouraging Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to reengage in negotiations under the auspices of the African Union as very important.

Radi affirmed that Egypt’s stance on GERD is clear and fixed as it calls for applying the principles of the international law.

“The brothers in Ethiopia have the right in development but also … a total of 120 million citizens in Egypt and Sudan have the right in life and have historic acquired rights in accordance with the international rules and law that regulates the joint use of the waters of transboundary rivers,” Radi affirmed.

Read more about Egypt’s reaction to the UNSC’s statement, from here.

Gaza, Palestinian cause

Radi said Egypt has set a strategy to deal with the Palestinian cause in the present time and the future, affirming that Egypt has succeeded in stopping violence.

The spokesman highlighted an agreement to intensify communication with Israel, the US and the European Union to mobilize the resources and support the Egyptian initiative for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

He said the first stage of the reconstruction process has been almost completed.

Radi also affirmed efforts to explore a political horizon and revive the peace process through intensified communication among Egypt, Jordan and Palestine.

This aims to revive the peace process with international partners and revive the negotiations, Radi said, affirming that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has discussed the issue with King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa today in Sharm El-Sheikh.

Late in May, Israel and the Gaza factions started a ceasefire proposed by Egypt after Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire killed 254 Palestinian people, including women and children.

The Gaza factions also fired rockets at Israeli lands in retaliation for the Israeli assaults against Palestinians in Jerusalem.

Sisi also in May announced allocating $500 million for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Read more about Egypt’s steps to revive the peace process, from here.