Minister: Negotiations over Renaissance Dam ‘difficult’

Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hossam Moghazy said that the Egyptian delegation participating in the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam negotiations is making every effort to defend the country’s interests.
 
During a ceremony organized by the Egyptian embassy in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, Moghazy said that the negotiations between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over contentious issues as well as water cooperation are related to both past and present events. “We have been able to do away with past misunderstandings and build comprehensive cooperation based on the Declaration of Principles, which was signed recently by the three countries in Khartoum.”
 
The outcome of these efforts, according to Moghazy, "will affect the future of our countries and their citizens." He added that it is inconceivable for any of the countries to achieve its own goals at the expense of others.
 
“Once we have resolved the disputes, we seek to achieve economic, cultural and political cooperation among our countries, as well as to establish real partnerships that bring prosperity from Nile water to all our peoples,” he added.
 
He also indicated that even though conflicts between Egyptian and Ethiopian delegations are possible with regard to such issues, the dialogue will continue.
 
He added that he will carry out a tour at the Nile basin countries in near future, stressing that Egypt is keen to continue the dialogue with its neighbours and it will not accept attempts at creating divisions between them. He confirmed that all conflicts will be resolved by diplomatic, friendly means.