Natural flow of Blue Nile provides Egypt with 50bn cubic meters annually

Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Hosam Moghazi said that Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia reached alternative understandings regarding water shares that are not recognized by Ethiopia.

In press statements, Moghazi said that the natural flow of the Blue Nile provides Egypt with 50 billion cubic meters annually, which represent 85 percent of Egypt's share of River Nile.

Ethiopia rejects recognition of Egypt's right to have a water share of 55.5 billion cubic meters and Sudan's share of 30 billion cubic meters, he said.

The Ethiopian Highlands, from which the Blue Nile stems, is only one source of Nile water reaching Egypt and Sudan, but not the sole source, he added.

The technical studies regarding the dangers of the Ethiopian renaissance dam are expected to be finalized by the end of 2016, the minister said, noting that Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia agreed on acting in compliance with the results of these scientific studies.

The principles declaration document is the most important document on the mechanism of the Ethiopian dam's operation, the minister said.

According to the document, storing water behind the dam or generating power should follow the announcement of the results of the studies, he added.

Egypt is concerned about the dam file, but does not feel in danger, the minister stressed.

Egypt is not against development in the Nile-basin countries, but such a development shall not come at the expense of Egyptian historicl rights to the River Nile waters, he added.

Source: MENA