Cairo is concerned about Ethiopia’s plans to proceed with the filling of the dam for the second year without coordination with Egypt and Sudan
Hamdok: Egyptian and Sudanese sides agree that any understanding or deal on the Ethiopian dam issue should achieve the aspirations and interests of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli stressed on Thursday that Egypt is not against Ethiopia’s development but on the contrary it has been always one of its development supporters.
“Our stance towards the under-construction Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is based on the historical rights of Egypt and Sudan and the protection of their interests in a way that does not harm the interests of Ethiopia as well,” Madbouli said at a press conference with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
Cairo is concerned about Ethiopia’s plans to proceed with the filling of the dam for the second year without coordination with Egypt and Sudan while “we are very much keen to continue cooperation among all of us over this important file,” Madbouli said.
He expressed hope that Ethiopian brothers would respond to Egypt and Sudan within the coming period in a way that achieves the interests of the three nations’ peoples.
Madbouli expressed Egypt’s support of Sudan in all domains, saying Egyptian officials began talks with the Sudanese delegation on a number of important economic files, including power interconnection, transport, roads and railway projects, gas linkage in addition to projects in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, trade and industry.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok , for his part, asserted that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s visit to Khartoum has helped to reboot the relationship between Sudan and Egypt. Sudan and Egypt have had many official exchanges during the past weeks and months, he added.
The Sudanese premier noted that the Egyptian and Sudanese sides had discussed several issues and files of mutual concern during Sisi’s visit including the Ethiopian dam issue.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok asserted that the Egyptian and Sudanese sides agree that any understanding or deal on the Ethiopian dam issue should achieve the aspirations and interests of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. The dam project should not be allowed to harm the interests of any of the three African countries, he went on to say.
The premier also hoped that the Egyptian and Sudanese ministers will address all joint strategic files including the hoped-for railway connection and other projects in the fields of higher education, scientific research and agriculture during their meeting today.
He also wished that the Egyptian-Sudanese cooperation will allow Sudan to benefit from Egypt’s great experience and know-how in many fields.
