The Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met earlier today with his Tanzanian counterpart Palamagamba Kabudi, to deliver him a message sent by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on the latest developments of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and consult on ways to strengthen bilateral relations.
During the meeting, Shoukry explained the developments in the talks over the past five years up until the latest Washington-sponsored draft agreement, which he described as “fair and balanced” and said that it accomplishes the interests of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan.
They agreed on the importance of coordination between the two sides on various issues.
Tanzania is Shoukry’s fourth stop in an African tour which will see him visit the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Niger and Rwanda.
Over the past weeks, Egyptian officials have delivered messages on developments related to the GERD to Gulf and European partners, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France and the European Union, in an attempt to seek support amid a rift with Ethiopia over the mega-dam after the Washington-mediated talks failed.
Nearly week ago, Shoukry embarked on a tour of which he visited number of Arab and European countries to deliver Sisi’s message to several leaders regarding GERD.
On March 11, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa affirmed his country’s solidarity with Egypt to ensure its legitimate Nile water rights, as Egypt and Ethiopia have been in a diplomatic conflict, especially recently, over the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
In a meeting with Minister Shoukry in Bahrain, King Hamad said he considers Egypt’s national security a main pillar of Arab security, Bahrain News Agency, the state’s agency, reported.
President Sisi also sent a message to Jordanian King Abdullah II on the recent stalemate between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia on GERD. The message was delivered by Shoukry.
"King Abdullah II expressed his country’s support to Egypt to preserve its water security," said the spokesman.
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