Sisi Urges Ethiopia to Adopt Mediated Solutions for GERD Issue

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emphasized the importance of urging Ethiopia to show political will in accepting any mediated solutions concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). This occurred during his meeting with Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, during his three-day visit to Egypt.

Upon Ghazouani's arrival at Cairo International Airport, he was greeted by President El-Sisi and later escorted to the Presidential Palace where an official reception ceremony was held.

According to presidential spokesperson, Ahmed Fahmi, the two presidents engaged in detailed discussions, followed by a broader session that included delegates from both nations. They acknowledged the continuous development of Egyptian-Mauritanian relations, noting the steady progress over the recent years, particularly concerning military, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation in the Sahel region.

Both presidents explored ways to enhance economic cooperation, trade exchange, and mutual investments in the upcoming period. Ghazouani commended Egypt's developmental experience and expressed his appreciation for Egypt's ongoing support and capacity-building efforts for Mauritanians across various sectors.

In this context, they agreed to convene a joint high committee at the ministerial level next July to sign several cooperation agreements in various fields. This move is expected to strengthen Egyptian-Mauritanian partnership frameworks and fulfill the interests of both nations.

The meeting also witnessed an exchange of views on mechanisms to boost Arab and African joint action and discussions on regional issues, notably Sudan, Libya, Syria, and the GERD issue.

During a press conference with President Ghazouani, El-Sisi said he was delighted to welcome his "brother" to his "second home, Egypt". El-Sisi expressed Egypt's deep appreciation for the historic ties with Mauritania and its enduring fraternity with the Mauritanian people.

El-Sisi confirmed that he had held constructive discussions with President Ghazouani, covering various bilateral, regional, and international topics. Their consultations reflected their shared political will to bolster the remarkable relations between the two countries and elevate them to broader horizons.

Both presidents also discussed cooperation and coordination frameworks at all levels, considering the common challenges faced by Egypt and Mauritania. These include the challenges of achieving comprehensive development, countering external interventions in the region, combating terrorism and extremist ideology, and safeguarding national states and their institutions.

Keywords: Egypt, Ethiopia, GERD, Nile Dam, President El-Sisi, Mauritania, President Ghazouani, Cairo International Airport, Ahmed Fahmi, military cooperation, Sahel region, economic cooperation, trade exchange, mutual investments, joint action, Sudan, Libya, Syria.