Desalegn: We will not harm Egyptians, GERD boost for both states

CAIRO – 18 January 2018: Egypt and Ethiopia have long sought to push bilateral efforts and increase bond together, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi said, hailing the signing of a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Thursday.

At a televised press conference held in Cairo, Sisi welcomed Desalegn who is in a short visit to the country to discuss bilateral ties, including developments of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam negotiations.

Sisi also stressed that both countries share historical ties date back to thousands of years ago, and that they are joined by Nile River, which is the source of life for both countries’ people.

For his part, Ethiopian Prime Minister Desalegn stated that the renaissance dam, which Ethiopian announced accomplishing around 70 percent of its construction works, “will not affect Egypt negatively and that the dam represents a development factor for both.”
“We will not cause any harm to Egypt and its people,” added Desalegn.

Both leaders agreed to establish an Egyptian industrial zone in Ethiopia.