foreOn Thursday, Egypt affirmed ts rejection of any unilateral measures related to filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), calling for the need to reach a binding legal agreement on the rules for filling and operating the Dam, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
Egypt’s clear stance was voiced by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in a phone call with Secretary-General António Guterres, who was nominated by Security Council for a second term as UN chief, added.
Shoukry called upon the United Nations and the UN Security Council to contribute to pushing Ethiopia to seriously engage in negotiations to reach the desired agreement, the statement said.
On Wednesday evening, Foreign and irrigation ministers of Egypt and Sudan voiced deep concern over the possible risk of Ethiopia's unilateral filling and operation of the GERD, without reaching a binding legal agreement.
The two countries' officials reiterated the importance of rallying efforts in support of reaching a compromising solution for the GERD crisis that would realize the interests of all parties.
The two sides reiterated the importance of coordinating efforts on the international, regional and African levels to press Ethiopia to enter serious negotiations in this regard, with a view to reaching an overall binding legal solution on this score, the statement said.
The two countries shared identical views on coordination required for immediate action to protect regional stability, peace, and security in Africa.
They accentuated the dire need for an action on the part of the international community to stave off the risk of Ethiopia's continuing ahead with imposing a fait accompli on downstream countries, read the statement.
Earlier in May, Egypt slammed recent Ethiopian remarks reiterating the unilateral plans to complete the Grand Dam (GERD) filling despite the absence of an agreement with Egypt and Sudan, saying it reveals Ethiopia’s bad intentions and efforts to undermine the ongoing mediation efforts.
The Ethiopian foreign ministry said it plans to start generating power from GERD in the upcoming rainy season between June and August.
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