CAIRO – 30 July 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty discussed Egypt’s concerns regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Nile River with US senators, stressing that Egypt will utilize all measures under international law to protect its water security.
Holding separate meetings with Senators Lindsey Graham and Roger Wicker in Washington, Abdelatty underlined the necessity of adherence to international law concerning shared water resources and highlighted the need for cooperation based on consensus and mutual benefit to achieve the interests of all Nile Basin countries.
The foreign minister stressed Egypt's rejection of unilateral actions that violate international law in this regard.
Abdelatty’s remarks come as Ethiopia is preparing to officially inaugurate its 74 billion cubic meter Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in September despite longstanding concerns by Egypt and Sudan, the downstream countries.
Ethiopia has continued filling and operating the dam over the past years, brushed aside demands by Egypt and Sudan, the downstream countries, that a written agreement must be reached first.
Egypt has repeatedly warned that the filling and operation of the dam with the absence of a clear legally-binding agreement is an “existential threat” with the country relying on the Nile for over 98 percent of its water supply.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia has claimed that the dam will not harm the water shares of the downstream countries and will also benefit them.
Egypt and Sudan have failed to persuade Ethiopia to ink a legally-binding agreement regarding the GERD through more than a decade of negotiations, which Cairo later called “a waste of time” with Ethiopia “lacking the political will” required to reach a solution.
Last week, US President Donald Trump called the Nile “a very important source of income and life” for Egypt, stating that “we think we are going to have that solved very quickly.”
“I think if I am Egypt, I want to have water in the Nile, and we are working on that,” Trump said during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The US president stated that the dam is “closing up water going to the Nile,” emphasizing that taking away that vital resource from Egypt is “pretty incredible.”
Gaza War
Egypt’s water security was one of several files discussed during Abdelatty’s meetings with the US senators, with the foreign minister visiting Washington to explore ways of enhancing strategic Egyptian-US relations and exchanging viewpoints on regional and global issues
Abdelatty is set to meet with US administration officials as well as Congress leaders and members during the visit.
In his discussions with Republican senator Graham, Abdelatty outlined Egypt's regional role in supporting security and promoting peace, as well as its mediation efforts, in coordination with Qatar and the US, to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The foreign minister emphasized the necessity of achieving a permanent ceasefire in light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged ensuring a regular flow of humanitarian aid and the initiation of early recovery and reconstruction efforts.
He reaffirmed Egypt's steadfast commitment to continuing its efforts to support the peace process and to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause, based on the two-state solution and international legitimacy.
Wed, Jul. 30, 2025
