Ashraf Abo Arafe
The Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri met today (14 July) with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Jebio on the sidelines of the preparatory ministerial meetings of the African Extraordinary Summit in Addis Ababa. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and regional issues of common interest, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman advisor Ahmed Hafez.
Hafez added that the meeting dealt with the developments of the Nahdha Dam negotiations. The Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri stressed the importance of implementing the outcomes of the ministerial meeting in order to overcome the current slowdown and to carry forward the course of technical studies in accordance with the principles agreement signed in 2015 and implementing the directives of the leaders of the three countries As one country to achieve common interests, in addition to resume the course of the independent scientific research committee. The Ethiopian Minister has shown interest in finding the appropriate means to move forward in the consultations of the three States, with the understanding that this will be elaborated within a few days.
The meeting also dealt with means of enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries as well as efforts to establish the tripartite fund for development between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. Shoukry stressed the need to build on the success achieved at the first meeting held in Cairo in July 2018. the agreement on the institutional and procedural aspects and projects to be implemented in accordance with the principles agreed at the Cairo meeting. The Ethiopian Foreign Minister stressed his country’s aspiration to work with Egypt and Sudan to activate the Development Fund and to benefit in turn to promote development cooperation between the three countries.
