By Associated Press, Published: June 18
He said his Ethiopia visit helped “remove what clouded relations between the two countries” even as Egypt’s goal is to protect the water resources.
Ethiopia’s growing economy frequently suffers from power cuts and needs more electrical capacity, but Nile-dependent Egypt fears the project will diminish its share of Nile River waters.
Ethiopia last month started to divert Nile waters to make way for its massive $4.2 billion hydro-electric dam dubbed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, sparking concerns in Egypt.
In a televised meeting on June 3, Egyptian politicians suggested attacks against Ethiopia to sabotage the dam. A week later Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi warned that “all options are open” to challenge Ethiopia’s dam project.
Ethiopia’s parliament on Thursday unanimously ratified a new accord that replaces colonial-era deals that awarded Egypt veto powers over Nile projects.
Ethiopia’s leaders say work on the dam will not stop even as consultations proceed. They say the findings of an experts’ panel, which includes four international experts, show the dam will not significantly affect water flow to both Egypt and Sudan.
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Associated Press writer Maggie Michael in Cairo contributed to this report.
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