Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan agree to resume Eastern Nile Basin cooperation

Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan agree to resume Eastern Nile Basin cooperation

Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have agreed to resume their tripartite cooperation under the Eastern Nile Basin. The three nations had devised a joint institutional framework and been working together on Nile waters conservation and utilization since 1999. Water resource ministers of the three nations have endorsed a resolution by their technical experts for the resumption of the operations of the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO) which had not been functional for a period of time. Representatives of the Republic of South Sudan were also present during the agreement. The Ministers also agreed on the occasion to discuss and approve in the near future South Sudan’s membership to ENTRO. In a joint press briefing they gave after the meeting, the Ministers highlighted the pivotal role of the accord for conservation and utilization the Nile waters. Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, Alemayehu Tegenu said the agreement ensures the mutual benefits of the three nations, which his Egyptian and Sudanese counterparts also affirmed.