Ethiopia: Agreement reached on Eastern Nile Basin cooperation
November 9, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have agreed to resume jointly working on organizing sustainable management, utilization and development of the Nile waters under the Eastern Nile Basin.
The agreement was reached after water Ministers and representatives of the three countries held a meeting in Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday.
Accordingly, the parties have agreed to resume their tripartite cooperation which had been suspended for some time due some differences created on reaching a binding agreement on legal related issues.
Representatives from South Sudan have also attended the meeting.
According to the Ethiopian official television, member states during the meeting agreed to discuss and approve South Sudan joins the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO) .
“The agreement ensures the mutual benefits of the three nations,” Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, Alemayehu Tegenu said
Egyptian and Sudanese representatives also said the agreement indicates that the water resources should no more be the source of conflict but a source of regional cooperation and mutual benefit.
Last month, ENTRO celebrated 10 years anniversary of the Eastern Nile cooperation among the member states namely Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan.
Ethiopia hosts ENTRO, the executive body of the Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program (ENSAP), and puts to effect Project Management Units of ENSAP’s investment projects and implementation to a number of basin-wide capacity building projects.
(ST)