Egypt, Ethiopia to overcome differences on River Nile waters

CAIRO, June 10 (KUNA) -- Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmad on Sunday agreed to build confidence and overcome the challenges relating to the manipulation of the River Nile waters.
At a joint press conference with the Ethiopian leader this evening, President Al-Sisi pledged that Egypt would increase investments in Ethiopia and work for final agreement on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River - one of the two major tributaries of the Nile, in Ethiopia.
He highlighted the vital importance of the Nile River for the Nile Basin countries, particularly Egypt.
"Both Egypt and Ethiopia made significant progress in the confidence building measures," he said, stressing the need to build on the understandings previously reached with Ethiopia and Sudan.
On his talks with the Ethiopian leader earlier today, Al-Sisi said they focused on ways to increase economic cooperation, including the project to build an Egyptian industrial zone in Ethiopia and the partnerships between the private sector companies of both sides.
The talks also covered the joint investment in the agricultural, livestock and fish resources as well as the health sector, he added.
On his part, Abiy Ahmad who started a two-day visit to Egypt yesterday, said reassured that the dam, which is Africa's largest hydroelectric dam, would not cut Egypt's share of Nile waters.
"We, the Ethiopians, have neither desire nor notion, to harm the Egyptian people," he said.
"We believe that we should make better use of the River Nile, but when we benefit we should not do harm to the Egyptian people," he made clear.
"We will take care of the River Nile and will not only preserve your share of its waters but work to increase this share as well," he pledged.
Meanwhile, Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radhi confirmed that the two sides agreed to work together for a final agreement on the Renaissance Dam and realize development and welfare for both peoples.
He said that both sides have identical views on the need of joint action to promote regional peace, help the countries of the River Basin, and address the challenges of South Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia. (end) rg.gb