Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Federal Reserve maintains interest rates    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    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    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    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.



Ethiopian obstinacy caused GERD negotiations failure: Irrigation Ministry Spokesperson
Ethiopian document is attempt to establish a fait accompli, says Sebaey
Published in Daily News Egypt on 13 - 06 - 2020

Ethiopian obstinacy has hindered any breakthrough in ongoing Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Damn (GERD) negotiations, according to Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation Spokesperson Mohammed Sebaey.
The tripartite negotiations were underway between Ministers of Water Resources and Irrigation from Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
At a press briefing on Saturday, Sebaey said he is not optimistic for the prospects of achieving a breakthrough during ongoing GERD negotiations, due to Ethiopia's stance.
"While Egypt exercised considerable flexibility and welcomed a compromise text prepared by Sudan as a possible basis for negotiations, Ethiopia presented, during the meeting that was held on 11 June, a deeply troubling document that is both technically unsound and legally inadequate," he added.
According to Sebaey, the Ethiopian document, which was rejected by both Egypt and Sudan, reveals the real Ethiopian intentions "to exploit trans-boundary water resources in an unrestrained and unregulated manner and without taking into consideration the rights and interests of downstream states".
It also shows the extent to which the Addis Ababa government lacks the political will to reach a fair agreement on the GERD.
Sebaey said that the Ethiopian document is an attempt to establish a fait accompli that would accomplish either one of two options. It could push Egypt and Sudan to sign a text holding them hostage to Ethiopia's will, it would see them accept Ethiopia's decision to unilaterally fill the GERD.
He further clarified that both Egypt and Sudan are seeking to conclude a legally binding instrument regulating the filling and operation of GERD. This would also protect the interests of the three states at the same time.
Ethiopia, however, is hoping that the three countries will sign "a non-binding text in which the downstream states sign-away their riparian rights", Sebaey said. This would recognise Ethiopia's right to exercise unfettered unilateralism both in the use of the Blue Nile and during the filling and operation of the GERD.
Sebaey described the Ethiopian document as designed to negate all the agreements and understandings reached by the three countries throughout almost a decade of negotiations.
This included removing the agreements reached during recent rounds of negotiations that was held in the presence of representatives of the US and the World Bank.
It provides no guarantees for the downstream states that their rights will be protected against potential harm due to the filling and operation of the dam.
It also allows Addis Ababa to unilaterally alter the rules controlling the filling and operation of the GERD, ignoring the interests of Egypt and Sudan.
On 11 June, the Ministers of Water Resources and Irrigation from the three countries held a virtual meeting at Sudan's request. The meeting was held to address the disputed points over the GERD. During the meeting, however, the Ethiopian representative suggested a new document for agreement.
Egypt considered Ethiopia's new document as a time-consuming document to allow Addis Ababa time to finalise the project even without reaching a fair compromise.


Clic here to read the story from its source.