Trump pledges to prioritize Ethiopian dam dispute resolution
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- US President Donald Trump pledged to prioritize resolving the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia.
- Trump's commitment followed a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who stressed the dam's importance to Egypt's national security.
- The US has recently increased diplomatic engagement on the issue, aiming to break a years-long deadlock in negotiations.
US President Donald Trump has pledged to make the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute a top priority, signaling a potential breakthrough in the stalled negotiations between Egypt and Ethiopia. Trump's commitment came during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.
I think Ethiopia has treated you unfairly.
El Sisi emphasized the critical importance of the Nile River issue to Egypt's national security, expressing appreciation for Trump's attention. Trump, in turn, acknowledged Egypt's concerns, stating, "I think Ethiopia has treated you unfairly." He added, "A dam was built in Ethiopia that is causing major problems for Egypt, and I am fully aware of that. We will see whether we can reach a settlement on it."
A dam was built in Ethiopia that is causing major problems for Egypt, and I am fully aware of that. We will see whether we can reach a settlement on it.
This renewed US diplomatic activity follows nearly two years of suspended negotiations. In May, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed the dam dispute and Egypt's water security with US Senior Adviser Massad Boulos. Abdelatty stressed Egypt's rejection of "any unilateral measures," calling water an existential issue for the country. Boulos affirmed the US commitment to its strategic partnership with Egypt and close coordination on shared challenges.
the lack of political will on the Ethiopian side
Earlier, Boulos held "productive and comprehensive meetings" with an Ethiopian delegation, including Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos. Discussions covered the Nile River and the GERD. These efforts aim to revive the stalled talks, which Egypt previously attributed to a "lack of political will on the Ethiopian side."
complete rejection of any unilateral measures
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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