Egypt, Spain Hold First Virtual Consultations on African Affairs

Egypt and Spain convened their first round of consultations on African affairs in a virtual session, co-chaired by Ambassador Karim Sherif, Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs, and Jimena Tichno, Director of the African Department at Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The consultations were attended by representatives from the European sector, the Sudan and South Sudan Department, relevant deputy assistant ministers for African affairs, the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, as well as the Egyptian Embassy in Madrid.

Discussions focused on Egypt’s vision regarding the Nile water issue, including what Cairo described as Ethiopia’s unilateral measures on the Blue Nile in violation of international law. Participants also examined the repercussions of what Egypt termed the unregulated approach to managing the Ethiopian dam, and its potential consequences for the two downstream countries.

During the session, Ambassador Sherif expressed appreciation for Spain’s positions in support of international law and commended Madrid’s commitment to the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the two countries earlier this year.

The consultations come as part of ongoing efforts to enhance coordination and dialogue between Egypt and Spain on African-related issues of mutual interest.