Egypt: We Will Not Yield a Single Drop of Water... 'Strategic Balance' is the Pillar of Our Foreign Policy

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty affirmed on Wednesday that his country remains committed to its water rights and refuses to relinquish a single drop of water, stressing that Egypt’s foreign policy is based on the principle of “strategic balance,” respect for state sovereignty, adherence to international law, and political solutions to resolve conflicts.

Speaking during a dialogue session titled “National and Citizen Security” on the third day of the “Egypt Forum 2026,” Minister Abdelatty stated that Egypt faces complex regional challenges across various strategic fronts, amid crises in the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, Libya, and the Sahel region, necessitating continuous diplomatic efforts to safeguard Egypt’s national security.

Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Minister Abdelatty clarified that Egypt harbors no hostility toward the Ethiopian people, citing the historical ties between the two nations. He explained that the core of the crisis lies in unilateral policies, attempts to impose fait accompli, and a lack of commitment to legal obligations.

He noted that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi made a historic visit to Addis Ababa in 2015, addressing the Ethiopian Parliament as part of Cairo’s efforts to reach a binding legal agreement that balances Egypt’s right to life with Ethiopia’s and other Nile Basin countries’ right to development.

The minister emphasized that Egypt will not compromise on its water rights amid the current water scarcity the country is experiencing, noting that Egypt’s per capita water availability averages 550 cubic meters annually, well below the 1,000 cubic meters per year threshold associated with the definition of water poverty.

On developments in the Horn of Africa, Minister Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s rejection of interference in the internal affairs of states or any infringement on their territorial integrity and unity, strongly opposing any plans aimed at dividing Somalia or dismantling countries in the region.

He clarified that securing trade routes with neighboring countries must be done through coordination and agreement, rather than imposing fait accompli or establishing military-style ports without consent, warning that such practices could lead to further chaos and regional tensions.

He pointed out that Egypt continues its communications with regional and international parties to support a political settlement, noting that external interventions and the flow of weapons to militias are factors that hinder resolution and prolong the conflict.

Regarding Gaza, he indicated that total humanitarian and medical aid entering the Gaza Strip exceeded one million tons, with more than 75 percent coming from the Egyptian people, government, and state.

He stressed the necessity of ensuring unimpeded aid entry into the Strip and continuing Egyptian efforts in cooperation with Arab, Islamic, and international partners to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, emphasizing the importance of achieving consensus among Palestinian factions amid the critical stage the issue is undergoing.

In this context, he explained that Egypt is intensifying its contacts with regional and international parties, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, the United States, Russia, China, and Iran, to de-escalate tensions, halt attacks on Gulf states, and enhance prospects for political solutions.

He affirmed that continued military confrontations will only result in further destruction and losses, and that political solutions represent the essential path to containing crises and preserving the security and stability of the region.

Regarding the principles of Egypt’s foreign policy, Minister Abd al-Ati stated that strategic balance does not mean isolation or refraining from taking positions, but rather entails active engagement in regional and international issues and maintaining strategic partnerships with various international powers, while adhering to international law and the UN Charter, respecting the sovereignty of states, and rejecting the use of force to settle disputes.

He pointed out that Egypt maintains strategic partnerships with the United States, China, and Russia, alongside relations with several middle powers, noting that the international system is moving toward multipolarity, which enhances the importance of the role of middle powers and the African continent in shaping the contours of the coming era.

He added that an effective foreign policy is linked to domestic security, political, economic, and social stability, emphasizing that external developments now directly affect citizens’ lives, particularly in the fields of energy and food security, supply chains, and international trade.

He stressed that respect for international law and the UN Charter must form the foundation of international relations, warning against the erosion of commitment to the principles of sovereignty and the peaceful settlement of disputes, at a time when the world is witnessing serious violations and an international inability to take effective action to halt them.