Sisi affirms to Blinken the importance of US role to resolve GERD crisis

CAIRO – 30 January 2023: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken the importance of US role to take an effective part in resolving the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis.

During his meeting on Monday with Blinken in Cairo, Sisi underlined Egypt’s unwavering stance on the necessity to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.

This should come in a way that achieves the joint interests and ensures water and development rights of all parties involved, Sisi stressed.

Blinken is currently in a Middle East trip that includes Egypt as the first stop and also Israel and the West Bank. According to the US Embassy in Cairo, Blinken will discuss with the Palestinian and Israeli leaders efforts of reviving peace and containing the growing tensions between the two sides.

Palestinian cause

Washinton relies on the close coordination with Egypt under Sisi to restore stability, achieve calm, and contain the situation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides within the framework of Egypt-US strategic relations, Blinken told Sisi.

Sisi affirmed to Blinken the need for immediate work on the political and security tracks to calm and contain the situation in the Palestinian lands, the Presidency said.

He also affirmed the need to work on curbing unilateral measures by each of the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

Sisi stressed Egypt’s stance on the need to reach a fair and comprehensive solution that ensures the rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with international references in a way that resolves this pivotal issue in the region and opens the horizons for peace, stability, cooperation, and construction.

Sisi and Blinken reviewed the developments and recent incidents in the Palestinian lands as well as the joint efforts and ongoing Egyptian endeavors to contain the increasing tensions over the past days.

Sisi and Blinken also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern as well as the topics of bilateral relations between Egypt and the US.

Bilateral ties

Sisi highlighted the strategic relations between Egypt and the US and affirmed aspirations to enhance coordination and consultations between the two sides on the various political and security issues in the region.

Blinken conveyed the greetings of US President Joe Biden to Sisi.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Cairo Daniel Rubinstein attended the meeting with Blinken and Sisi, added the statement.