EU Backs Diplomacy And Investment Over Conflict
EU’s Call for Cooperation on GERD Reflects Global Shift Towards Shared Resource Management
ADDIS ABABA – The European Union Delegation in Ethiopia has issued a message of congratulations to the Ethiopian people for the New Year, underscoring the significance of the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the need for a cooperative solution among Nile Basin countries.
In a recent press release, the EU delegation extended its best wishes for peace, prosperity, and continued progress for the new Ethiopian year. The statement emphasized that the completion of the GERD marks a “key moment” for Ethiopia’s development and its energy transition.
The message highlighted the potential for mutual benefit for the over 250 million citizens residing in the Blue Nile Basin. It stated that a mutual agreement among riparian states on cooperation, sustainable development, and equitable use of the Nile’s water resources could lead to “predictability” and attract foreign investment in critical sectors such as energy, food security, and water security.
The EU delegation reiterated its strong encouragement for dialogue to achieve a mutually agreed solution for the dam’s operation and management. This solution, according to the statement, should respect the “vital interests” of neighboring countries and contribute to the stability and shared prosperity of all states in the Nile Basin.
The EU also affirmed its readiness to support further talks between the parties, offering its extensive experience in the management of shared water resources to facilitate the process.
The full text of the EU’s message concludes with wishes for continued progress “for the benefit of the country and the entire Nile Basin region.”
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