Shoukry Says GERD 2nd Filling Rejected

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry confirmed in a statement to Sada El-Balad channel that Egypt is negotiating over the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), not over water shares.

Shoukry added: "We are negotiating within the scope of filling and operation, and the need to reach a legal agreement on filling and operation."

He continued:  "If the second filling occurs unilaterally, this is unacceptable, and it is followed by political measures and actions that protect the Egyptian and Sudanese water interests."

The minister stressed that Egypt will resort to all available means within the framework of its ability to interact with its partners and the international community.

He pointed out that "the Egyptian state deals with each of these components with all scrutiny and with all due regard to the interest of the Egyptian people."