ADDIS ABABA– Ethiopia sees the Nile Waters as a source of cooperation with Egypt and would not allow any dispute to harm the strength of the age-old ties, Ethiopia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Egypt, Dina Mufti said.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Ambassador Dina stated that it is the interest of Ethiopia to exploit the agreement in the fair utilization of Nile Waters to transform its relations with Egypt to cooperation and partnership instead of hesitation and confrontation.
He said that Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Cairo in last June exhibited Ethiopia’s political will to cooperate with Egyptian brothers and sisters and the country’s firm commitment in the equitable use of Nile Waters among all riparian countries.
The Ambassador stressed the need for undertaking series of scientific study on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) by an independent panel of experts and expressed Ethiopia’s willingness to accept the findings.
“Ethiopia also wants the speedy completion of the study that emanates from its stand about the fair utilization of cross-border Rivers.”
Dina noted that GERD, in addition to being designed in a way that ensures the benefits of both the lower and upper riparian countries, it has opened opportunity for Ethiopia and Egypt to work closely.
In line with the agreement Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have reached to implement the International Panel of Experts’ proposal without interrupting the construction of the dam, GERD is under construction as per the schedule and the consulting firms’ study would not have impact on the execution of the project.
Ambassador Dina further expressed Ethiopia’s desire to strengthen the all-rounded relations with Egypt in particular in economic, political, and diplomatic as well as security spheres. Diplomatic efforts will also be exerted to strengthen the people-to-people relationship beyond the government-to-gover nment ties.
Ethiopia is desirous of executing a continentally exemplary work with Egypt that also involves Sudan, he said, adding that the country is ready to work together on international affairs and enhance the collaboration in the fight against terrorism, militancy, climate change and other pressing issues.
The Ambassador recalled that both Ethiopia and Egypt had worked for the realization of the Organization of African Union and stated that the countries now need a stronger degree of cooperation and solidarity to attain their goals and to face today’s challenges.
Dina indicated that encouraging Egyptian companies to participate in Ethiopia’s investment opportunities, promoting new areas of investment and fostering all-rounded cooperation are issues he has given priority during a tenure in Cairo.
Political experts widely credited the signing of Declaration of Principles Agreement by Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on equitable utilization of Nile Waters for resolving disagreements.
The Ethiopian Herald April 16, 2019
BY BILAL DERSO
