The tripartite negotiation between Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Sudan on the Guidelines and Rules for the first filling and annual operation of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) continued for the seventh day on Wednesday, via video-conference in the presence of observers.
The technical and legal teams of the countries had a consultation in parallel sessions ahead of the ministerial meeting. The teams reported the outcome of their work to the trilateral ministerial meeting, according to the press statement of the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia.
The most prominent technical issues are resolved through the negotiation. However, the full completion of the negotiation will require resolution of legal issues. The delegation of the Republic of Sudan sought to report the progress and seek guidance from the Prime Minister of the Sudan. The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue the negotiation after Sudan has its consultation.
Beyond ensuring the optimal operation of the GERD, the negotiation requires prudence to safeguard the permanent right of Ethiopia over the Blue Nile. Similarly, the negotiation demands the Governments of Egypt and Sudan to take a visionary road leading to sustainable cooperation that respects the sovereignty and mutual benefit of the countries.
Ethiopia reiterates its right to fill and operate the GERD based on the principles enshrined under the DoP. However, Ethiopia is of the conviction that the three countries can conclude the negotiation on the guidelines and rules with an outcome that maximizes the benefit of the countries.