Addis Ababa, July 25, 2020 (FBC) – Foreign Affairs Minister, Gedu Andargachew said the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has brought Ethiopians together towards a common understanding.
Ethiopian Embassy in India has organized a video conference involging participation of Ambassador of Ethiopia to Asian and Oceania countries and diplomatic members under the theme ‘Status of the negotiation on GERD and the way forward”.
While addressing the video conference involving Ethiopian Ambassadors in Asian and Oceania countries, Foreign Minister Gedu noted GERD is a flagship project that has been addressing national consensus issues in the nation since its conception in 2001.
“GERD has a paramount significance to step up social and economic development reforms in the Education, Agriculture, Health, Industrial Park and Job Creation endeavors,”, Gedu stressed.
Recalling that Egypt was trying to force Ethiopia to accept colonial area agreements rejecting its rights on Nile Waters, Gedu underlined that negotiation could have been finalized in their early stages with win-win results if downstream countries accepted nation’s amicable approach.
“Future development of the dam needs a great deal of diplomatic efforts to clarify Ethiopia’s reasonable stance on GERD to the rest of the world,” Gedu noted, adding “All Ethiopians, especially those who are living abroad in the academic sphere have to brief the world on Ethiopia’s reasonable position on Nile through publications and other media outlets.”
Responding to queries raised by diplomatic members who took part in the Video Conference, Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister, Dr. Sileshi Bekele, said Ethiopia has drawn many constructive lessons from previous ups and downs regarding building and diplomatic issues related to GERD.
Dr. Sileshi shared Gedu’s comment on future efforts saying “GERD issues need much more diplomatic efforts to reveal a real picture of Ethiopia to the world regarding the dam”
He stressed the importance of the video conference in terms of raising clear understanding on GERD developments amongst the Diaspora community abroad.
Dr. Sileshi explained that the construction of GERD follows a smart approach that allows the building process and filling of the Dam Side by Side.
The construction of the dam will be finalized in 2023 and start power generation in upcoming Ethiopian New Year using a couple of turbines, Dr. Sileshi indicated.
The artificial lake to be created behind the dam facilitates friendly environment for Ethiopia to embark on economic activities like Fishery, Tourism, Bio Diversity, Agro forestry, Irrigation and Small Scale Timber Manufacturing among others.
There are a lot of activities that could be carried out tapping potentials of Nile Waters in cooperation with Egypt and Sudan for regional benefit, Dr. Engineer said.