Sisi, Ndayishimiye stress importance to settle GERD issue

Ndayishimiye hails Cairo’s efforts to achieve Africa stability

 MOUs on visa exemption, media, tourism, culture signed

 Egypt keen to support Burundi’s developmental needs

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Burundi President General Évariste Ndayishimiye agreed to intensify coordination regarding the sensitive and vital issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with President Sisi emphasising the utmost importance of the water issue for the Egyptian people as a national security issue.

During his meeting with President Ndayishimiye Wednesday , President Sisi asserted that Egypt adhered to its water rights and called for reaching a legal agreement that includes clear rules for the filling and operating the dam.

President Sisi expressed appreciation for the close historical relations and joint co-operation between the two brotherly countries. He also stressed Egypt’s keenness to strengthen relations and consolidate strategic co-operation with Burundi in various fields, especially in the field of economy, trade, security and military.

The president voiced Egypt’s support to Burundi’s development needs, especially in the fields of infrastructure, electricity, health, mining and agriculture.

This support should be implemented through maximising investments of the Egyptian companies in Burundi, transferring expertise, and building capabilities through the courses and grants Egypt introduces to help build Burundi’s cadres.

For his part, President Ndayishimiye also expressed his country’s great appreciation for its long and distinguished historical relations with Egypt, stressing Burundi’s keenness to develop bilateral relations in various fields, especially trade and economic co-operation, in line with the depth and distinction of political relations between the two countries.

The Burundi leader also voiced his country’s interest in maximising technical support provided by Egypt for Burundian cadres in the areas of capacity building, as well as obtaining the support of Egyptian companies working in the field of infrastructure, especially in the light of the ambitious development agenda Burundi seeks to implement.

Burundi president hailed the Egyptian stance aiming to achieve stability in The Great Lakes, East Africa and Nile Basin. He praised the significant role played by Egypt in resolving outstanding issues in this regard during the past period.

Ndayishimiye lauded Egypt’s efforts to support the unity and sovereignty of Burundi in all international and regional forums.

At the conclusion of the discussions, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a number of memorandums of understanding between the two countries in the fields of integrated water resources management in Burundi and the mutual exemption of entry visas for holders of official passports, media, education, tourism and culture.