Sisi: Betting on Egypt Relinquishing Its Water Rights Is a Losing Bet
President Sisi affirmed that betting on Egypt relinquishing its water rights is a losing bet, emphasizing the choice of cooperation and dialogue to protect the interests of the Egyptian people.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi affirmed on Sunday that Egypt exercises its rights in the Nile Basin without infringing on the rights of other countries, stressing that betting on Cairo’s acceptance of the status quo or its relinquishment of its water rights is a losing bet.
In a speech delivered during the opening of the ninth edition of the Cairo Water Week, which was published by the Egyptian Presidency on its Facebook page, el-Sisi said, “Egypt has chosen the path of cooperation and dialogue, a conscious choice based on confidence in the justice of its cause and the legality of its position, and with the conviction that protecting the interests of its people is a responsibility it will not waver in fulfilling.”
He added, “Any bet on Egypt accepting the imposition of the status quo, or on its relinquishing its water security, is a losing bet,” affirming that Egypt wants the Nile River to remain a source of stability, development, and joint cooperation among the basin countries.
He clarified that shared interests among the basin countries outweigh differences, and that enhancing water cooperation is essential to achieving development and prosperity for the peoples of the region. He stressed that Egypt attaches great importance to strengthening water cooperation with Nile Basin countries, based on the principles of international law and respect for the right of countries to development, in a manner that serves shared interests and safeguards the rights of all parties, emphasizing that cooperation must be founded on dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
He pointed out that prior consultation among Nile Basin countries constitutes a fundamental pillar for building trust and enhancing cooperation, highlighting the importance of continued coordination among basin countries to address shared water challenges and to transform water resources into a factor for rapprochement rather than a source of disputes.
El-Sisi renewed his call to make water a catalyst for peace and joint cooperation, affirming that strengthening regional partnerships in the water sector would support development efforts and realize the aspirations of the region’s peoples, amid growing challenges related to water scarcity, climate change, and population growth.
He said, “Egypt’s hand remains extended to its brothers, for cooperation based on the rules of international law, consultation, coordination, good neighborliness, and non-harm, for we are one family united by the Nile. Our shared interests outweigh our differences, and our basin possesses vast resources and potentials that, through sound management and development, can meet the needs and aspirations of our peoples.”
