Abiy messages Sisi on resumption of Renaissance Dam talks

CAIRO – 26 July 2019: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conveyed a message to the Egyptian President, affirming the keenness to resume the tripartite negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on the Renaissance Dam, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said on Thursday.

The message was handed to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi by Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Gedu Andargatchew, during his meeting with President Sisi.

The message affirmed the great importance Ethiopia attaches to Egypt to develop the bilateral relations in various fields, and strengthen friendship with Cairo. It also expressed hope to receive more Egyptian investments in Ethiopia and activate the bilateral agreements the two countries have signed.

It also highlighted the importance of continuing coordination to achieve stability in Africa and the region, including supporting and assisting the Sudanese people to overcome the current challenges.

The message stressed the need to resume the Ethiopian dam negotiations to implement the declaration of the principles between the three countries, in order to agree the rules of filling and operating the dam reservoirs in a way that equally considers the interests of the three countries.

For his part, President Sisi conveyed greetings to the Ethiopian prime minister, expressing his aspiration to improve the various aspects of the bilateral partnership between the two countries.

Concerning the dam, Sisi affirmed the need to reach practical procedures to shape the agreement, within the framework of the declaration of principles, taking into account the importance and vitality of Egypt's water resources for the Egyptian people and their future, as well as the development efforts of the Ethiopian people.

Sisi also affirmed that the agreement has to consider mutual respect and common interest that necessitates optimal use of the energy and resources of the two countries for the benefit of their peoples and future generations.