The Ethiopian authorities announced that the Renaissance Dam has entered its final stage, stressing that Addis Ababa “will continue its efforts towards ensuring regional integration and mutual development.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, who also serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Dam Coordination Council, said, “The Ethiopians have taken the dam to its final stage by allocating their money, knowledge and experience in the past 12 years.”
Mekonnen indicated, during statements reported by the Ethiopian News Agency, that “the construction of the dam has now reached 94.6 percent.”
The Foreign Minister confirmed that 4 rounds of tripartite talks were held with Egypt and Sudan in the past months, despite not reaching an agreement on the outstanding issues.
Mekonnen revealed that “the negotiations stopped due to Egypt’s position on the futility of the tripartite negotiation,” but he affirmed “Ethiopia’s firm position to conduct negotiations on the basis of principles and reach an agreement.”
Last December, Egypt said that the latest round of talks on the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ended without reaching any results, adding that it would closely monitor the process of filling and operating the dam.
The Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation stated that Cairo “reserves its right guaranteed under international charters and agreements to defend its water and national security in the event it is exposed to harm.”
The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry responded by saying that Cairo had “misrepresented” Addis Ababa’s positions in the talks, explaining that Egypt was “not ready to make concessions.”
2024-01-05 12:26:45
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