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Arab Parliament supports Egypt-Sudan efforts to ensure water security Ethiopia should not implement second phase of GERD filling before reaching binding, equitable legal agreement, says Al-Asoumi
Arab Parliament President Adel bin AbdulRahman Al-Asoumi has confirmed the organisation's full support for Egypt's and Sudan's efforts to preserve their water rights. These efforts have been confirmed by all international laws and relevant bilateral agreements, he said, adding that the water security of both countries is an integral part of Arab national security. In a statement, Al-Asoumi also said that both Egypt and Sudan have, in recent years, proved their keenness and full determination on the success of the negotiations in accordance with the principle of benefit for all. He pointed out that this principle was reaffirmed by Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi during his recent meeting with his Guinea-Bissau counterpart, Umaro Sissoco Embaló. During the high-level meetings at the end of last week, the Egyptian president emphasised the determinants of his country's position regarding reaching a fair and binding agreement to fill and operate the huge, and controversial Ethiopian Dam through negotiations. Al-Asoumi stressed that the parameters that Egypt and Sudan have committed to, throughout previous rounds of negotiations, reflect responsible and balanced positions aimed at reaching a fair and balanced legal agreement that serves the interests of all parties. "This forces the Ethiopian side to move away from the policy of imposing a fait accompli and not to take any new unilateral steps that would complicate and prolong the crisis," he said. The Arab Parliament head also called on Ethiopia not to implement the second phase of filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) before reaching a binding and equitable legal agreement. This would ensure the regulation of the dam's filling and operation, stressing that it is the only way to reach a just and final solution to the crisis. Al-Asoumi reiterated the Arab Parliament‘s firm position and its solidarity with Egypt and Sudan, whilst also highlighting its support for their actions and measures aimed at protecting their water security. He refused to prejudice the legal and historical rights of Egypt and Sudan, and their fixed share of River Nile waters, which are the lifeblood of the Egyptian and Sudanese peoples.
