Egypt is offering aid and investment projects to upstream countries as part of its political and diplomatic efforts to woo Nile Basin states, reports Reem Leila The Egyptian delegation which returned from Ethiopia on 7 June repeatedly stressed that Nile Basin countries must cooperate fully in order to maximise the mutual benefits of the Nile. During a day full of meetings with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Melese Zenawi and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and Minister of State for International Cooperation Fayza Abul-Naga underlined that Egypt was committed to strengthening its long standing ties with the riparian countries bordering the Nile and its sources. Abul-Gheit described the discussions as "fruitful". "Egypt and Ethiopia are willing to strengthen relations", he confirmed. The treaty signed by five Nile Basin countries last May, but which is opposed by Egypt and Sudan, was high on the agenda of talks. Ways to end ongoing clashes between the Somali government and opposition factions and the upcoming Sudanese referendum, which could see the south of the country secede, were also discussed. Both Egypt and Ethiopia support the African Commission's mediation between disputing parties in Sudan. Zenawi told reporters that Ethiopia had never sought a reduction in the Egyptian quota of Nile water and the agreement signed by the five riparian countries did not represent a threat to Egypt. "Diplomatic and political negotiations are ongoing and we are hoping to narrow the gap which exists among different riparian countries," said Zenawi. Responsible development is the key to resolving the dispute over water resources, said the Egyptian delegation. "Development requires joint cooperation to establish projects which all the people of the Nile Basin can benefit from," said Abul-Gheit. He conceded that, "it might take a while to reach an agreement that satisfies all concerned parties." Abul-Gheit insists Egypt has no problems with Ethiopia using Nile waters to generate electricity. "Such projects will not affect water flow in the river, though they should be implemented within the framework of the joint cooperation plan between the eastern basin countries of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia," he said. Upstream states are equally keen to establish irrigation and hydropower projects. But while they say they are willing to consult with Egypt and Sudan over such projects, they are no longer willing to accept the veto power accorded to Cairo under the 1929 colonial treaty governing rights to the waters of the Nile. "We will continue to work on the diplomatic and political fronts to preserve Egypt's quota of River Nile water," said Abul-Gheit. "This will not be allowed to affect friendly relations with Ethiopia and the rest of the Nile Basin countries." The visit, says Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki, was a step forward in bringing together the views of downstream and upstream states. It will give a boost to economic relations between Egypt and Ethiopia, with Egyptian investments in Ethiopia set to rise to more than $1.1 billion. Zaki denies that Egypt is focussing on Ethiopia at the expense of other Nile Basin states. "Several mutual channels have been opened between Egypt and the Nile Basin countries. Ethiopia itself has great influence in upstream countries. Nor should we forget that 85 per cent of Egypt's quota of the River Nile originates in Ethiopia. It makes sense to begin with it," said Zaki. An Egyptian delegation from the Ministry of Trade and Industry is due to travel to Ethiopia within weeks to discuss mutual investment projects, and the Ethiopian government has already allocated two million square metres of land for joint enterprises. Incentives to encourage Egyptian investors to invest in Ethiopia are being discussed, and could serve as a model for other riparian countries.
