President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is to visit Ethiopia on Monday after years of dispute over the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD). Al-Sisi will give a speech in front of the Ethiopian parliament, according to state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram, conveying a message emphasising the depth of historical links between the two countries. The speech will also highlight strengthening and expanding various areas of cooperation between Egypt and Ethiopia. Al-Sisi is looking to establish new and solid foundations for relations between the two countries, not only for the present but also for future generations. Cooperation between Egypt and Ethiopia has improved after years of political dispute. Egypt's main concern since the GERD's establishment in 2011 is its water retaining capacity. Utilising more Nile water than any other country, Egypt fears the dam will have a detrimental effect on its share of the river's water. Al-Sisi had received a report from Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hossam El-Moghazy on the February 2015 Khartoum meetings with the irrigation ministers of both Sudan and Ethiopia. The ministers stressed the three countries' ability to reach a consensus on a set of principles to be submitted to political leaders, for their consideration and approval. Shoukry also emphasised that what has been achieved already is an important step on the path to strengthening bilateral relations between Egypt and Ethiopia. He further highlighted the positive spirit that prevailed in the latest round of negotiations and the availability of real political will on both sides.
