Egypt Denies Offering Red Sea Access to Ethiopia in Exchange for GERD Concessions
Cairo – Egyptian officials have firmly dismissed reports suggesting a potential agreement to grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in return for a more amenable stance on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a massive hydroelectric project that has long been a source of tension between the nations.
The denial, delivered by a high-ranking Egyptian source to the Middle East News Agency (MENA) on Tuesday, comes after circulating reports claimed Cairo was considering the offer. Egyptian authorities have labeled these claims as “unfounded” and lacking any factual basis.
The dispute centers around the GERD, which Ethiopia is constructing on the Blue Nile, a major tributary of the Nile River. Egypt, heavily reliant on the Nile for its water supply, fears the dam will significantly reduce its share of water, impacting its agricultural sector and overall water security.
According to the Egyptian source, Cairo’s position remains steadfast, anchored in “strict adherence to the principles of international law,” a “firm rejection of all unilateral measures,” and “the imperative of preventing any harm to Egypt’s established water share.” The source also emphasized the “protection of the comprehensive rights of downstream nations,” referencing established international legal frameworks.
Beyond the GERD issue, Egypt underscored its sovereign control over the Red Sea. The official stated that governance and security of the vital maritime corridor are the “exclusive domain of its littoral states,” and that no external parties should attempt to establish arrangements concerning the Red Sea’s security.
The Red Sea is a crucial shipping lane for global trade, and its control is considered a matter of national security for Egypt and other bordering nations.
This denial follows recent discussions regarding potential avenues for resolving the long-standing dispute over the GERD. While details remain scarce, the Egyptian government appears determined to maintain its existing position and safeguard its water rights, rejecting any perceived trade-offs regarding access to the Red Sea.
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