This week will witness a fresh round of talks between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the latter’s controversial Nile River dam which Egypt fears will affect its share of water, said a spokesperson for Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.
Ahmed Abu Zeid told reporters on Sunday that the round of talks on technical issues related to the disputed undertaking will be held Wednesday and Thursday. The meeting, according to Abu Zeid, will discuss some technical proposals made by Egypt.
The event will be followed by another one at the end of the month in Cairo to discuss French offers for technical consultancy on the project, the spokesperson said. In February, the three countries will sign contracts in Khartoum with the consultancy offices.
The three countries signed a declaration of principles in late December, setting a period of 8-12 months for technical studies on the dam. But disagreements remain over Egypt’s demands to halt construction at the dam, which is reportedly 50 percent complete, until studies are finished.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
