Iraq, Jordan back Egypt's efforts to seek protecting water rights

CAIRO – 25 October 2019: Jordan and Iraq on Friday voiced support for Egypt in seeking protecting its water rights and resolving disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) through negotiations, a day after the Egyptian president met Ethiopia's prime minister over the issue.

The remarks of the two countries came in a tripartite meeting between Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and their Iraqi counterpart, Mohamed al-Hakim, on the sidelines of the 18th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The foreign ministers discussed during the meeting ways to apply the outcome of the summit between President Sisi, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and the Iraq's President Barham Salih, last September, on the sidelines of the current United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York.

The ministers agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting in Amman in November, to prepare for the next summit between the presidents of the three countries, which is set to be held in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

They discussed the relations between the three countries and the ways to enhance economic, developmental and cultural ties. They also agreed to continue political coordination.

Among the issues discussed during the tripartite meeting were the Palestinian and Syrian issues, as well as the fight against terrorism and the updates of the situation in Yemen and Libya.

Concerning GERD, Shoukry affirmed Egypt's keenness to reach a solution that would save the rights of the three countries concerned – Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, in accordance with the international law and the rules of the international legitimacy, and through a binding agreement that does not harm Egypt's water security.

The ministers affirmed supporting the Iraqi government in its efforts aiming at stabilizing security and stability and achieving the aspirations of the Iraqi people and preserving the outcome achieved after the victory over the Islamic State (IS) caliphate in Iraq.

They also discussed preparations for the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction set to be held from November 18 – 22 in New York.