Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Egypt expects a final and fair agreement on the the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) that guarantees the interests of the country and protects its water rights. In statements to MENA after the end of the final round of GERD talks which was held in Washington on February 12 and 13, the foreign minister added that the final deal is also expected to serve the interests of Ethiopia and Sudan. His statements came few days after Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan have agreed to entrust the US and the World Bank with the preparation of the final agreement on the filling and operation of GERD, according to a statement by the five parties, following the latest round of negotiations which concluded in Washington on Thursday. Negotiations have ended and the US said it will propose a final draft to Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan within the coming week so as to be submitted to the governments and presidents of the three countries to consider signing it, Shoukry said. Shoukry expressed his confidence that US relations with the three countries and its strategic ties with Egypt will make Washington introduce a balanced, fair and objective output. He pointed out that Sudan and Egypt showed identical stances on many topics within the framework of the similar conditions of both downstream states and special ties binding them. He lauded the technical and legal capabilities showed by the US Treasury Department. The US engagement in this issue and signing a final deal will help maintain stability in East Africa and among the three countries, he said.
