ESAT News (June 7, 2017)
Egypt is currently negotiating with Ethiopia the period of time over which the latter’s hydroelectric dam’s reservoir should be filled after construction is completed, Al-Ahram online reported quoting Egyptian officials on Tuesday.
“Egypt is still discussing with Ethiopia an initial report issued by two firms tasked with assessing the impact of the under-construction Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on downstream countries,” Egypt’s irrigation ministry spokesman Hossam Imam told Al-Ahram Arabic news website on Tuesday.
The report also quoted the spokesman as saying that the signatories of the Entebbe Agreement should apply the principle of cooperation between the Nile Basin countries.
The Entebbe agreement seeks to create a cooperative atmosphere between all Nile Basin countries and ensure that all these countries enjoy the socioeconomic benefits of the river.
Imam said that Egypt’s absence from any Nile Basin agreement would lead to the failure of these agreements.
Cairo has repeatedly expressed concerns that the construction of the Renaissance Dam, which is more than halfway complete, could negatively affect Egypt’s share of Nile water.
Addis Ababa, however, has maintained that the dam project, which Ethiopia says is vital for generating electricity, will not harm downstream countries.