Egypt has welcomed the presidential statement issued Wednesday by the UN Security Council on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as part of the UN body's commitment to preserving international peace and security. The UNSC has urged observers of previous GERD negotiations under the African Union's sponsorship, and any other observers to be involved in future dam talks, to continue supporting the negotiation track with a view to reaching a compromise on any outstanding issues, including the technical and legal aspects, said a statement by the Foreign Ministry. The council has also encouraged Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to revive African-led GERD negotiations to thrash out a legally binding deal on the dam filling and operation process within a reasonable timeframe, the ministry added. The ministry noted that the council's statement reaffirms the special importance state members attach to the dam issue, as well as their appreciation of the dire need to contain its grave implications on international peace and security.
