Egypt’s FM highlights to Pelosi the need for Ethiopia to show political will to reach GERD deal

CAIRO – 11 November 2022: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry affirmed to Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi the need for the Ethiopian side to have a real political will in order to reach the required deal on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Shoukry, also president of the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) held in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh city from 6-18 November, met with Pelosi on Friday on the sidelines of the conference, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

During the meeting, Shoukry reaffirmed Egypt’s stance calling for the nee to reach a legally-binding agreement on the rules of filling and operation of the mega dam in a way that preserves the interests of all of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Shoukry met with Pelosi along with members of her delegation that included a number of leaders and members of different committees in the US House.

Shoukry emphasized the strategic nature of relations between Egypt and the US and the distinguished cooperation that brings them together in various fields to achieve the common interests of the two countries.

For her part, Pelosi affirmed the importance that the US attaches to its extended relationship with Egypt and the joint cooperation and coordination that bring the two countries together within the framework of enhancing regional security and achieving stability, prosperity and development.

Members of the US delegation were keen to get acquainted with the Egyptian position on various issues, foremost of which are climate change issues, including providing climate finance, addressing losses and damages, protecting the communities most affected by climate change, and preserving seas and coasts.

The Egyptian chief diplomat affirmed the Egyptian COP27 presidency’s keenness to listen to the views of the various parties on the topics on the agenda of the conference and to bring the views closer.

He also stressed keenness to achieve a balance between ambitions and desired hopes, and the current international context and the challenges it poses in order to reach actionable results that enhance climate action in all aspects.