GCC Voices Strong Support for Egypt's Water Security, Its Legitimate Rights

The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) expressed its support for the Egyptian national security, including its water rights, urging a fair and binding solution to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) file.

The remarks came in a final communique on Tuesday after the 42nd meeting of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Riyadh.

"The GCC Supreme Council also affirmed that the water security of Egypt and Sudan is an integral part of the Arab national security," the communique read.

The GCC Supreme Council also reiterated support to all endeavors that contribute to resolving the GERD file while taking into account the interests of all parties.

The council called for the resumption of negotiations between the three parties to reach a fair and binding solution to the GERD issue in accordance with international laws and standards.

On Sunday, foreign ministers of Egypt and GCC countries held the first edition of the political consultation mechanism in Riyadh with the participation of the GCC's Secretary General Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf.

The outcome of the joint ministerial meeting held in Riyadh between the GCC and Egypt will contribute to fostering their relations in all fields, the Supreme Council affirmed, according to the communique.

The council reiterated support to Egypt's security and stability, hailing the country's role in enhancing the Arab national security as well as security and peace in the region.

The council also hailed Egypt's efforts to counter terrorism and enhance development and prosperity for the Egyptian people.

Egypt and Sudan have been negotiating with Ethiopia for a decade now to reach a comprehensive and legally binding agreement over GERD, which would secure their water interests and rights and end their related concerns over the impact of the dam on the quantity of water reaching the two countries.

Ethiopia, however, has resisted efforts to reach a binding GERD solution and enforced two phases of dam filling over the past two years unilaterally and against the will of the two downstream countries.