Sisi affirms to British PM need for binding deal on GERD to protect regional stability

CAIRO – 14 October 2021: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed in a phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday the need to reach a legally-binding agreement on the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Sisi said a legal, balanced and fair agreement should be reached in order to preserve the stability of the region, achieve the interests of all parties and also preserve the water security of Egypt, the Presidency said in a statement.

He also called for the need to show good intentions and required political will by all parties during the negotiations process in a way that coincides with the presidential statement issued by the United Nations Presidential Council.

During their phone call, Sisi and Johnson discussed the most prominent issues of bilateral relations and means to develop them as well as revitalizing British tourism movement to Egypt.

This especially includes the fields of security, defense and counter-terrorism, the statement added.

Sisi and Johnson discussed regional issues of mutual concern, especially Libya, the Presidency said.

They agreed on backing the current political track until the desired entitlement of election is achieved as planned by the end of this year.

They also agreed on the importance of the exit of all foreign troops and mercenaries from the Libyan territories.

The phone call discussed the ongoing preparations for the city of Glasgow to host the next UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

They agreed on the need to strengthen joint coordination between the two countries to ensure positive results from this session in a way that enhances the work of the international community in light of the current global climate crisis.

This comes also in parallel with the importance of the Egyptian role in climate issues at the regional level, as well as Egypt's effort to host the next session of the conference during 2022, the statement read.