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.



Egypt explains its position on GERD to African leaders
Shoukry carries messages from President Al-Sisi to leaders of 6 African countries on GERD developments
Published in Daily News Egypt on 19 - 04 - 2021

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukrymet on Monday with Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, at the start of his tour to a number of African countries.
Nairobi represents the first leg of the African tour that includes the Comoros, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Senegal, and Tunisia.
Shoukry was carrying messages from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to his brothers, presidents, and leaders across the continent, outlining Egypt's position on the controversial Ethiopian dam.
Ahmed Hafez, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Shoukry's tour comes as part of Egypt's keenness to inform fellow African countries on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations.
Hafez said that during the meeting with the Kenyan President, Shoukry delivered the Egyptian President's message regarding the status of negotiations on the dam.
The message also outlined the Egyptian position regarding the controversial Ethiopian project. Shoukry referred to the pioneering Kenyan role in Africa in many fields, and in light of its non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council representing the continent.
Hafez said that Shoukry was keen to review the recent events at the Kinshasa meetings, which were hosted by the DRC on 4-5 April.
Hafez noted Egypt's aspiration to work with the countries and parties concerned to find a solution to the crisis that preserves regional security and stability.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral affairs, with Shoukry noting the depth of Egyptian-Kenyan relations. He noted his appreciation of the existing political will on both sides to develop them and take advantage of the momentum they are currently witnessing.
Shoukry affirmed Egypt's interest in supporting priority development projects in Kenya, as well as expressing his country's keenness to support the country in various fields.
The minister addressed the path towards a legally binding agreement on filling and operating the dam in a manner that takes into account the interests of the three countries involved in the negotiations, namely Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia.
He also addressed Ethiopia's decision to commence the second filling of the dam unilaterally.
Shoukry affirmed the fundamentals of Egypt's position, calling for the launch of a serious and effective negotiation process that will result in reaching the desired agreement.
Egyptian former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Orabi appreciated President Al-Sisi's move, stressing that communication with African countries at this stage is important to clarify Egypt's position and that of Ethiopia.
He added that Ethiopia had violated the charter of the African Union (AU), whose headquarters are in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Al-Orabi indicated Egypt's interest in emphasising the seriousness of its policy towards Africa, which has not changed according to the seriousness of current events.
He noted that Ethiopia is manipulating African cohesion and a spirit of constructive cooperation, whilst fuelling hostility among African peoples.
He added that the international community has not played any role denoting the seriousness of the situation, or indicating the existence of a dangerous situation that increases tension in the Horn of Africa.
In the same regard, former Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Nasreddine Allam said that Shoukry's effort represents a continuation of his Ministry's work to inform key hubs in Africa about GERD developments.
He said that the permanent members of the UN Security Council, as well as those who have economic and political interests in the Horn of Africa, have been informed of the Egyptian position.
If Ethiopia is serious about its proposal to conclude an urgent agreement with Egypt and Sudan on filling and operating the dam, it should not try to start the second filling under the guise of negotiations, he said.
Allam stressed that Ethiopia should listen well to warnings from Egypt, Sudan and US-Russian warnings not to take any unilateral actions without a binding legal agreement.


Clic here to read the story from its source.