Egypt won’t compromise on water rights

PRESIdENT Abdel Fattah El Sisi affirmed that Ethiopia’s dam crisis is a cause for concern, but negotiations are difficult and need patience, and the Egyptian people must trust their political leadership.

“Egypt’s water rights cannot be touched,” Sisi said. “Negotiation is a difficult and arduous process, which needs patience” the president added. “Don’t rush the results.”

President Sisi also highlighted his recent meetings with US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, and Congo president to discuss Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) file.

Moreover, president Sisi also stressed that Egypt is doing its best to solve the Ethiopian dam crisis. “It is a very sensitive and significant matter.”
“Egyptians’ concern is legitimate,” Sisi said, adding that they must trust their government and its potentials.

The president’s remarks came during the inauguration of a number of development projects of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) in Ismailia Tuesday.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli, Minister of Defence Mohamed Zaki, SCA Chairman Osama Rabie as well as a host of ministers and senior statesmen.

President Sisi also said that yesterday’s visit to Ismailia aims to confirm that the Suez Canal is operating efficiently, affirming that the SCA is gigantic and large and is developing in line with the development of trade flow in the world.

The president also extended appreciation and congratulations to the authority for its current and future efforts to carry out national projects.

President Sisi instructed the authority to finish the expansion plan as soon as possible and not necessarily in a year as scheduled. The president lauded the authority saying it is a “giant” establishment.

He, meanwhile, called on the private sector to participate with the state in establishing the Egyptian fishing fleet with the latest technological equipment in order to be able to conduct fishing in the country’s regional and international waters.

President Sisi said that the private sector was welcome to contribute to the establishment of the project of 100 fishing vessels equipped with the latest technological equipment, rescue means and modern fishing equipment in order to contribute to the provision of the Egyptian people’s needs of fish wealth
and to increase job opportunities for young people.

President Sisi witnessed raising the Egyptian flag on Mohab Mamish Dredger named after the former Suez Canal chairman, who was attending the ceremony. Mohab Mamish Dredger can dig in a depth of 35 metres, as indicated by a Suez Canal official while briefing the president.
During the inauguration ceremony, a documentary film entitled “The Suez Canal, Challenges and Achievements” was displayed.

It showed the extent of the challenges that the staff of the authority had overcome as they were able to establish the new canal as well as stood as a role model in crisis management.
The film stated that the authority worked in a proactive manner to contain the impact of the coronavirus crisis by adopting flexible marketing and pricing policies for its international customers.

He indicated that the staff of the SCA confirmed their superior capacity after their success in refloating the Panamanian container ship Ever Given within 6 days and without losses.