FM: UN Security Council Should Assume Responsibilities towards GERD Issue

Within the framework of the intensive preparations for the scheduled Security Council session on the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met, on Tuesday, in New York with the permanent representatives of Russia and China to the United Nations.

Ahmed Hafez, Official Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Shoukry explained to the permanent representatives of Russia and China the different dimensions of the Egyptian position on the GERD issue, which is the need to reach a fair, balanced and legally binding agreement on filling and operating the dam that takes into account the interests of the three countries and does not violate the water rights for the two downstream countries.

Hafez added that Shoukry stressed the need for the Security Council to assume its responsibilities to push forward towards reaching the desired agreement. The minister pointed out to Ethiopia's continued intransigence and its attempt to impose a fait accompli in violation of relevant international laws and norms and the Declaration of Principles Agreement signed between the three countries in 2015.