ADDIS ABABA (The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia) – The minister of the Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Mr. Gedu Andargachew, gave a briefing 15 June 2020 to local media outlets regarding the ongoing tripartite talks over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
He said Ethiopia has managed to build the dam despite immeasurable challenges posed by the Egyptian side who had been trying to put Ethiopia’s financial options into a straitjacket.
The absolute need for development and the legitimate right of Ethiopia to provide electricity to almost 65% of its population have been driving Ethiopia in the building the dam, Mr. Gedu Andargachew added.
The Minister further said, although Egypt contributes nothing for the water share of the Nile River, it still clings to the colonial-day water treaties that do not give recognition either to Ethiopia’s or the other riparian countries’ natural right to utilize the water resource.
He said Ethiopia is participating in the tripartite talks taking the accepted principles of ‘cooperation’ and ‘causing no significant harm’ as guideposts in addition to recognizing its rights to equitably and reasonably utilize its water resources.
Although the current tripartite talk is in its 5th –day session, the age-old stance of Egypt acting as if it is the sole owner of the Nile waters coupled with its uncompromising attitude to the realities of the day is stalling the talks, he said.
Mr. Gedu said Egypt is foot lagging in the tripartite talks while attempting to take the GERD case to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which doesn’t go in line with the spirits of the DoP.
Appreciating the financial and emotional support Ethiopians have been giving to the construction of the dam, the Minister called on all Ethiopians to stand together in asserting their right to utilize their own natural resource.
During a question and answer session, Mr. Gedu Andargachew told journalists that the Republic of Sudan has to be hugely appreciated for its positive and encouraging role in helping the talks run in a matured and cooperative manner.