Shoukry: Reducing Egypt’s water rights is a hostile act

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in joint news conference following their talks in Cairo. (AP)

• Egypt’s top diplomat urged Moscow to help settle its dispute with Ethiopia over dam project
• Egypt and Sudan deem the dam project a threat if filled and operated without a legally binding agreement

CAIRO: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has warned that curtailing his country’s water rights would constitute a hostile act.
Shoukry referenced international law in his statements and said that the issue must be addressed through diplomatic measures and the intervention of international parties.
He highlighted the intransigence of Ethiopia, saying that the country continues to take unilateral measures outside the framework of international law.
The minister also said that Egypt was closely coordinating with Sudan in a combined effort to persuade Ethiopia to change its mind before the second filling of the dam, which Ethiopia is seeking to achieve next July.
If damage occurs, the two downstream countries will take measures to protect their national and water security and deal with any irresponsible behavior from Ethiopia, said the minister.
On the eve of his talks with his Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Cairo, Shoukry said Egypt believes that Russia will play a positive role in the Renaissance Dam issue.