CAIRO – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty described Ethiopia’s unilateral construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) without reaching an agreement with the downstream countries as an “illegal act.”
Speaking to AlQahera News late Tuesday Abdelatty said, the Nile River is an international transboundary river and that Ethiopia’s actions violate international law and are inconsistent with its principles.
He said the negotiation track has reached a dead end, reiterating that Egypt fully reserves its rights under international law to defend its water interests in case of harm.
Turning to regional developments, the minister warned that “Israel’s arrogance of power would never bring it security or stability,” stressing that Israel has rejected peace and continues to rely on force. Abdelatty said the recent Israeli strike on Doha reflects an unacceptable escalation, affirming that “Qatar’s security is part of Egypt’s security and of Arab national security as a whole.”
He underlined President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s constant directives to exert all efforts toward de-escalation, noting Egypt’s intensive contacts with Tehran, Washington, the European troika and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the Iranian nuclear file.
The foreign minister highlighted that the Cairo Agreement between Iran and the IAEA to resume cooperation was brokered under President Sisi’s sponsorship, describing it as a new phase aimed at avoiding escalation and ensuring implementation of its provisions.
The region is passing through a sensitive stage that requires de-escalation, restraint, and a stronger focus on development, the top diplomat concluded.
