AU-led negotiation over GERD continues: MoFA

Addis Ababa, July 10, 2020 (FBC) –The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has reiterated government’s commitment to fill the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as per schedule.

Ambassador Dina Mufti, Spokesperson of MoFA, made the remark in a press conference issued on current affairs yesterday, Thursday July 9, 2020.

The filling of the dam’s reservoir will continue in parallel with the on-going African Union (AU)-led negotiation between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

According to him, the negotiation between the three countries has continued this week as well.

Since the Nile issue is an African issue, Ethiopia’s efforts to bring the negotiation back to the African Union (AU) was a big success, he said.

Once the negotiation is completed, the government will make public results of the discussions and other related issued, Ambassador Dina stated.

Despite a decrease in face-to-face discussions due to COVID-19 pandemic, MoFA has continued its virtual diplomacy in strengthened manner, he said.

According to him, Gedu Andargachew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with representatives of various continental organizations and diplomats.

The Minister conducted discussions over phone with his Chinese, Italian and South Korean counterparts as well as met with Addis Ababa-based ambassadors of Sweden, Russia, Saudi Arabia and other countries.

The Spokesperson also said the government has repatriated several citizens from different countries following the outbreak of the pandemic.