Al-Sisi stresses the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Nile Basin countries... and warns against unilateral measures

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President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye discussed the latest developments in the Nile water file, where President El-Sisi stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Nile Basin countries on the basis of achieving common interests and not harming any of the basin countries, stressing the constants of the Egyptian position represented in preserving Egypt’s water rights and interests, as an existential issue for the Egyptian people.

Al-Sisi also affirmed Egypt’s support for development efforts in all Nile Basin countries, warning of the dangers of unilateral measures that affect the water interests of riparian countries, and stressing Egypt’s refusal to exploit the Nile water issue for political gains.

For his part, the Burundian President affirmed his country's full understanding of the Egyptian concerns related to the Nile water issue, and considered the water issue to be a life and existential issue for Egypt, stressing the inability to achieve development at the expense of people, and pointing to Burundi's keenness to consolidate the principles of cooperation, consultation and consensus among the countries of the basin, in a way that achieves common interests, promotes the optimal use of shared water resources, and contributes to supporting stability and development for the peoples of the region.

For his part, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Water Resources and Irrigation affirmed, in an official statement, Egypt’s permanent commitment to cooperation and mutual benefit with all Nile Basin countries, and achieving the development interests of the Basin countries while preserving Egyptian water security, through adherence to international law and the frameworks governing the Nile River.

The two ministers stressed Egypt's rejection of unilateral measures that violate international law in the Eastern Nile Basin, stressing the continued follow-up of developments closely, and taking all measures guaranteed to Egypt under international law to protect its existential capabilities, while continuing close consultation and coordination between the Ministries of Irrigation and Foreign Affairs to ensure the achievement of national goals and the protection of Egyptian water security.