Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan signed a declaration of principles in Khartoum on Tuesday setting guidelines for resolving disagreements related to Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam project.
The document signed by foreign ministers from the three countries sets a period of 8-12 months for technical studies of the operation mechanisms and consequences of constructing the dam, which Cairo and Khartoum fear will diminish their share of Nile River waters.
The methodology of conducting technical studies on the project were the subject of dispute among the three states during previous talks. The Tuesday declaration tasks French consultancy group Artelia to join BRL Group, another French firm, to carry out the studies.
The ministers have also agreed to engage in a new round of talks during the first week of February.
Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Ghandour said the document, which he labelled as “historical”, is binding for the three countries, and had answered all concerns brought up by the three parties. He said it establishes commitment to an earlier declaration signed by the three states in March.
