Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the sidelines of the Russia–Africa Summit in the Russian resort city of Sochi.
The two leaders discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest between the two countries.
During a parliament question-and-answer session held last Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed announced a plan to meet the Egyptian leader to talk on issues pertinent to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
In his remark the Prime Minister said Ethiopia has no intention to harm downstream countries. The construction of the dam benefits both the people of Sudan and Egypt.
Ethiopia recently rejected the new proposal submitted by Egypt regarding the dam, which it is building in Benishanguel Gumuz regional state.
In its new approach, Egypt proposed the dam to release 40 billion cubic meters of water every year and more water when the Aswan Dam goes below 165 meters above sea level as well as invited a third party.
Ethiopia rejected the new approach stating its reason that “the proposal violates its rights on the waters of the Nile and harms its national interest”.
Ethiopia further said “Egypt’s new approach regarding the dam is an unwarranted denial of the progress in the trilateral technical dialogue.”
“It also violates the agreement signed by the three countries in 2015.”
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