Egypt Receives GCC Support to Maintain Water Security

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam near the Blue Nile spring. (Reuters)
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam near the Blue Nile spring. (Reuters)
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Egypt Receives GCC Support to Maintain Water Security

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam near the Blue Nile spring. (Reuters)
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam near the Blue Nile spring. (Reuters)

Egypt has recently received support from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States in its dispute with Ethiopia over the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said his GCC counterparts underlined the importance of preserving Egypt’s water interests, and said they understand that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue is considered significant for Cairo.

This came during the meeting of the political consultation mechanism between Egypt and the GCC countries in Riyadh on Sunday.

Egypt and 10 other downstream countries share the Nile basin, yet more than 85 percent of its share comes from the Blue Nile tributary in Ethiopia.

Around 80 percent of the construction works have been completed so far, and Addis Ababa completed the second phase of filling the dam in August, which is a cause of concern to Egypt and Sudan that fear the dam’s impact on their water shares.

Cairo and Khartoum demand that the three countries reach a legally binding agreement to fill and operate the dam.

For nearly a decade, the African Union-sponsored talks between Cairo, Addis Ababa and Khartoum over the operation and filling of the mega-dam have faltered.

In mid-September, the UN Security Council called on the three countries to resume negotiations under the auspices of the AU, stressing the need to reach a “binding agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD” within a reasonable timetable.

The foreign ministers announced launching a consultation and coordination mechanism on regional and international issues, aimed at supporting and enhancing security and stability in the region and the world.

Following the meeting, Shoukry issued press statements affirming the GCC support and solidarity with Egypt in defending its national interests and reaching a binding legal agreement on GERD.

Egypt and the GCC states agreed to formulate a common vision that supports all issues and challenges facing the Arab region, and bolsters solidarity and joint action among all Arab countries.



Egypt Says Israel-EU Agreement Has Not Increased Aid to Gaza

Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty arrives for a meeting of Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers on the sidelines of the EU-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting at the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, 14 July 2025. (EPA)
Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty arrives for a meeting of Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers on the sidelines of the EU-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting at the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, 14 July 2025. (EPA)
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Egypt Says Israel-EU Agreement Has Not Increased Aid to Gaza

Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty arrives for a meeting of Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers on the sidelines of the EU-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting at the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, 14 July 2025. (EPA)
Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty arrives for a meeting of Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers on the sidelines of the EU-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting at the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, 14 July 2025. (EPA)

Egypt's foreign minister said on Monday that the flow of aid into Gaza has not increased despite an agreement last week between Israel and the European Union that should have had that result.

"Nothing has changed (on the ground)," Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told reporters ahead of the EU-Middle East meeting in Brussels on Monday.

The EU's top diplomat said on Thursday that the bloc and Israel agreed to improve Gaza's humanitarian situation, including increasing the number of aid trucks and opening crossing points and aid routes.

Asked what steps Israel has taken, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar referred to an understanding with the EU but did not provide details on implementation.

Asked if there were improvements after the agreement, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told reporters that the situation in Gaza remains "catastrophic".

"There is a real catastrophe happening in Gaza resulting from the continuation of the Israeli siege," he said.

Safadi said Israel allowed the entry of 40 to 50 trucks days ago from Jordan but that was "far from being sufficient" for the besieged enclave.

EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of Monday's meeting that there have been some signs of progress on Gaza aid but not enough improvement on the ground.

Israel's continued military operations and blockade have left the entire population of 2.3 million people in Gaza facing acute food insecurity, with nearly half a million at risk of famine by the end of September, a joint United Nations report said last month.