NEW YORK- Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said that the Russian Federation is closely following up the GERD issue.
Addressing a UN Security Council session to discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue, with the participation of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, the Russian diplomat said Moscow understands the importance of this project which provides water and electricity to millions of people living in Ethiopia and at the same time notes the legitimate rights expressed by Egypt and Sudan regarding the possible negative repercussions of operating the dam in the absence of an agreement on sharing common resources.
Reaching a settlement to this dispute is only possible through political means with the participation of the three nations, Nebenzya said, voicing his country’s belief in reaching a solution that should be done within the framework of the contents of the Khartoum agreement.
Mutual understanding and respect is essential, he said.
He also stressed the need to reach an agreement on the filling and operation of the dam which would defuse the crisis among the parties concerned, noting that negotiating a document among the Nile Basin states is the best way to define the fair usage of water.
He called on the president of the African Union to double his efforts toward settling the issue.
He said Moscow presents a suggestion to all the parties concerned, which is, to have the AU president hold consultations on the dam with each side which would contribute to settling the crisis within the principles of keeping international peace and security
