Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 22:19:40 +0200
Ethiopia has understanding for Egypt's interests: Egypt FM from Addis Ababa
Upon arrival to Ethiopia, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry says
relations between the countries are improving; adds Egypt can support
Ethiopian development efforts
Ahram Online , Thursday 4 Sep 2014
Egyptian-Ethiopian relations are improving amid mutual eagerness for closer
ties between the two countries, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said
shortly after arrival in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, for talks on the
country's Grand Renaissance Dam project Thursday.
Shoukry underlined that Ethiopia is showing concern for, and understanding
of, Egyptian interests.
The most recent round of talks between Egypt and Ethiopia in Sudan's
Khartoum reflected a significant easing of the crisis that the controversial
dam had caused. Egypt's irrigation minister said last week that 85 percent
of issues pertaining to the dam had been resolved.
Egypt's demand to commission experts to write a report on the design of the
dam, and on ways to ensure that the build-up of its reservoir could be
achieved without resulting in a major reduction in Egypt's share of Nile
water, was granted in tripartite negotiations between Egypt, Sudan and
Ethiopia last week.
Egypt is concerned that the dam Ethiopia is building for electricity
generation purposes would negatively affect its share of Nile water, Egypt's
state news agency MENA reported.
Shoukry, who is meeting Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom, assured
Egypt is keen to support Ethiopia's development through joint-projects and
investment, underlining the necessity of cooperation in various fields,
adding that the Nile River is central to the development of both countries.
Closer relations start after negotiations
In interview with Al-Ahram daily newspaper published Thursday, Egyptian
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hossam Moghazy said
trust-building steps between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan will start when
negotiations are concluded.
Moghazy didn't conceal difficulties encountered in the tripartite talks, but
said many potential obstacles were overcome through the wisdom and patience
of negotiators.
Egypt's signing on to an agreement with Sudan and Ethiopia doesn't
necessarily translate into implicit support of the Grand Renaissance Dam or
its specifications and reservoir filling timeframe, Moghazy said.
"Egypt's agreement is pending until the conclusion of studies. What we have
achieved so far is establishing mechanisms for resolving disputes," Moghazy
told Al-Ahram.
Moghazy believes, however, that a watershed agreement was reached in last
week's meeting whereby Ethiopia recognised Egypt and Sudan's right to Nile
water and its responsibility not to cause harm to existing water shares.
"Ethiopia pledged so in the agreement, which represents a turning point in
building trust with Egypt not seen in decades," Moghazy said.
According to the minister, the parties agreed to a period of six months to
conduct the necessary studies and created a committee of Egyptian, Ethiopian
and Sudanese experts to present reports to an international consultancy that
would finally issue the necessary and obligatory recommendations for
building the dam.
Egypt
Egyptian FM Sameh Shoukry (R), Ethiopian FM Tedros Adhanom (Photo: Courtesy
of Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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