Ali lauds initial deal on Nile dam; praises President Sisi

Egyptian lawmaker and the Director of the Center for Middle East Studies in Paris, Abdel Rahim Ali, praised today recent understandings between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the latter's Nile dam.

This agreement, he said, proves once more the efficiency and abilities of Egyptian diplomacy in managing foreign policy files.

He added in a statement that this success adds to successes made by Egypt's diplomacy over the years.

"Agreement between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on formulating a legally binding deal on the filling of the Ethiopian dam reservoir and the dam operation proves Egypt's rights and its distinguished relations with African Union states," MP Ali said.

He noted that Egypt worked at all political and diplomatic levels in the past weeks to defend its rights to the water of the Nile.

Egypt, he added, succeeded in referring the case to the United Nations Security Council.

"Egypt has received backing from most countries on this file, including from the United States," MP Ali said.

He praised efforts made in this regard by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and all other state officials who worked in full honesty to protect Egypt's historical rights to the Nile.

"This is an existential issue for the Egyptian people," MP Ali said. "This is why it is important for Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to reach a deal that serves their interests before filling the dam reservoir," he added.