Egypt seeks 'just' solution to GERD issue: irrigation minster

CAIRO - 18 April 2018: Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Aati said on Wednesday that Egypt seeks a just solution to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue.

The solution seeks to reduce the harmful effects of the dam and show understanding of the developmental aspirations of the other party, Abdel Aati said.

Egypt has always been a state backing cooperation, development and peace, the minister said.

Speaking at a symposium on "water and sustainable development" at the headquarters of the Supreme Council of Culture, the minister said about 95% of Egypt land is desert.

He added the nearly 97% of the country's water resources originate outside its borders, noting that Egypt is also one of the most water-stressed countries in the world that is why it reuses its wastewater.

Egypt is not against the building of dams in the Nile Basin countries; namely Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Eritrea, the minister made it clear.

He added that Egypt participated in the building of several dams in Africa, including "Owen Falls Dam", which is a hydroelectric power station across the White Nile near to its source at Lake Victoria in Uganda.

Also, Egypt helped in the building of dams in Ethiopia and Sudan, the minister stressed.

As for challenges to Egypt's water resources, the minister said that the government adopted a national plan for water resources management and development.

The plan aims at reducing the waste of water, developing irrigation methods, improving water quality and reducing areas planted with water intensive crops, the minster said.