Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Uganda's Deputy Foreign Minister James Mugume on Monday, for talks that are part of a drive to increase cooperation between Nile Basin countries, the ministry said. During the meeting, Shoukry spoke of his intention to develop relations with Uganda and other Nile Basin countries in "all fields", but in particular regarding reaching consensus on the River Nile's uses. In May, Shoukry met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at the latter's private residence outside the Ugandan capital, Kampala, in talks that also covered Nile diplomacy and terrorism across Africa. In March, Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan signed a tripartite agreement regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has been a large source of concern for countries downstream from Ethiopia. "The Declaration of Principles is the foundation upon which Ethiopia will build its agreement with Egypt and Sudan," said Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. "The Renaissance Dam does not only serve Ethiopia's interests, but the interests of Egypt and Sudan as well." Desalegn added that the GERD will not have any negative effects on downstream countries, and will not cause the Egyptian people any harm. Its principles include numerous obligations, including: not to cause any harm or damage to any of the signatories; just and fair use of Nile water; and trust-building by giving Egypt and Sudan priority to electricity generated by the dam.
