President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi received a report from Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hossam El-Moghazy on meetings in Khartoum with the Irrigation Ministers of both Sudan and Ethiopia. The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation and coordination between the Eastern Nile Basin countries, and the promotion of confidence-building measures on the Renaissance Dam. The ministers stressed the ability of the three countries to reach a consensus on a set of principles to be submitted to political leaders for their consideration and approval. Shoukry also stressed that what has been achieved is an important step on the path of strengthening bilateral relations between Egypt and Ethiopia. He further highlighted the positive spirit that prevailed in the latest round of negotiations for the availability of real political will on both sides. The report also urged the quick completion of the joint studies being conducted regarding the dam, to translate all understandings into action. The tripartite negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan were held in Khartoum from 3 to 5 March, and came after the first round was hosted in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in February. The negotiations aimed to reach the governing principles of cooperation between the three countries, and to guarantee achieving the interests of the three countries, as well as mutual gains, while maintaining the water interests of downstream countries in the context of building the Renaissance Dam. Egypt refuses the current water retention capacity of the Renaissance Dam, claiming it would affect its water share. It has been long in conflict with Ethiopia, reaching a peak in 2013.
