Egypt, France airdrop aid to Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis, global criticism of Israel    Supply minister discusses strengthening cooperation with ITFC    Egypt launches initiative with traders, manufacturers to reduce prices of essential goods    SCZONE chief discusses strengthening maritime, logistics cooperation with Panama    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Egypt reviews health insurance funding mechanism to ensure long-term sustainability    Gaza on verge of famine as war escalates, ceasefire talks stall    Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland    Egyptian president follows up on initiatives to counter extremist thought    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    58 days that exposed IMF's contradictions on Egypt    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Ethiopia has not sent Egypt latest designs for GERD: Minister of Irrigation
Nile River is not owned by anyone, but rather joint ownership of several countries
Published in Daily News Egypt on 22 - 03 - 2020

Egypt has comments on some technical issues in construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and Ethiopia has not sent the latest designs of the Dam so far, said Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aty on Saturday.
The minister added in a televised interview with DMC that Ethiopia has been blocking a solution to the GERD crisis since 2011, explaining, "they do not want any restriction in building the dam, so they do not fulfill promises and make words without signing international agreements.”
He said that Ethiopia suffers from major internal crises and wants to cover them by constantly raising controversy, pointing out that Ethiopian government claims it wants to save citizens from poverty through the GERD project while they are already spending huge budgets on the dam, although it could have been done at a lower cost.
Abdel Atti asserted that the Nile River is not owned by anyone but rather a joint ownership of several countries, who are entitled to agree on dealing with the construction of the GERD.
"It is not the first time that Ethiopia has made a crisis with neighbouring countries, as it has made a crisis with Kenya by building three dams and drying a lake without agreement," the minister said. "Ethiopian refusal to sign the US-brokered agreement on the dam reflects a kind of fear to reach a solution. Egypt has proven good faith in more than one occasion."
Sudan participated actively in the negotiations of the dam, and gave its observations on the agreement at the meeting that took place in the US, he said, noting that Sudan agreed with the text of the agreement, but did not sign it.
Regarding water rationalisation, the minister said "Egypt has satellites through which the seasons of drought can be predicted."
"The Egyptian share of Nile water has not changed for 100 years, which constitutes a burden on the state in meeting the country's water need," Abdel Aty said.
Egyptian farmers are very conscious of how to rationalise water consumption, he said, pointing out that several farmers were chosen to travel to Jordan to exchange experience over rationalisation of irrigation systems.
He said that there is also awareness in households, especially in the popular neighbourhoods, to rationalise water consumption, pointing out that the state started desalination of sea water for drinking.
On 20 March, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew said Ethiopia demands “serious and fair” talks in order to return to the negotiating table with Egypt and Sudan over the dam, in an interview with China Global Television Network CGTN. The Ethiopian minister said resolving the dispute requires a “strong political will” from the Egyptian side.
Andargachew called on the Arab League to “seize this opportunity to play a positive role in establishing good relationship between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.”
He termed the agreement reached during the Washington negotiations as a “hasty agreement that will not benefit any party,” justifying Ethiopia's withdrawal as being pressured “to sign the agreement without addressing the main issues of the tripartite dialogue in the United States.”
Tensions between Cairo and Addis Ababa escalated recently after Ethiopia did not attend the last US-sponsored meeting with Egypt and Sudan in Washington to sign the final agreement over the rules of filling and operating the GERD. The agreement was drafted by the US, and initiated by Egypt, but not signed by Sudan or Ethiopia.
Over the past weeks, Egypt sent similar letters to the Arab Gulf and European partners to seek support in the case.


Clic here to read the story from its source.