Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stated that Egypt's primary objective regarding its external actions is to maintain the security and stability of the region and to uphold Arab solidarity as a fundamental approach, alongside a commitment to non-interference in the internal affairs of states as a cornerstone of Egyptian policy, not merely a temporary stance. This came during El-Sisi's reception of Arab ministers and media officials today, Thursday, on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Council of Arab Information Ministers at the Arab League, with the presence of Karam Gabr, the head of the Supreme Media Regulatory Council.
The Egyptian president expressed appreciation for the support and assistance provided by Arabs to Egypt in all matters affecting its national security, particularly concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt has been engaged in protracted negotiations to resolve for nearly ten years. He clarified that Egypt has sought to reach a fair, balanced, and legally binding agreement regarding the filling and operation of the dam, ensuring that there is no significant harm to the water security of Egypt and Sudan while simultaneously meeting Ethiopia's development needs.
On a different note, the Egyptian president emphasized to the Arab ministers of information the importance of promoting the logic and concept of the nation-state to achieve the interests of peoples and to consistently support state institutions over any ideology aimed at sowing division and discord among the citizens of a single country.
A spokesperson for the presidency stated that the president welcomed the Arab information ministers, affirming Egypt’s commitment to enhancing the role of Arab and national media to keep pace with the rapid developments witnessed in the media field over recent years. Earlier this month, the Arab League affirmed its support for all options deemed appropriate by Egypt and Sudan regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue.
Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, noted that Egypt and Sudan are currently managing the situation responsibly, avoiding escalation in pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Yesterday, the head of the Arab League's mission to the United Nations, Majid Abdel Fattah, stated that "there is Arab eagerness to prevent the Ethiopian dam crisis from turning into an Arab-African conflict." Meanwhile, Gulf Cooperation Council ministers declared their rejection of any actions that would affect Egypt and Sudan's water rights in the Nile River by Ethiopia during their meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
