New Egyptian Initiative to Develop Nile Basin Countries

Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr held on 10/1/2012 talks with Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka in Nairobi. This came during Amr's Nile Basin tour that takes him to a number of the Nile Basin countries. The talks dealt with developing bilateral relations between the two countries, boosting investments and increasing trade. The talks also discussed the regional situation and exchange of views on the current developments in the Horn of Africa, Somalia and Sudan.

The minister announced launching the new Egyptian initiative for developing Nile Basin countries, which is based on carrying out joint projects to achieve the ambitions of the peoples of the region. The initiative includes a number of sectors, notably electricity, agriculture, irrigation and energy. This is in addition to the establishment of dams for rainwater harvesting in Kenya, training programs for Kenyan cadres, human development, and the dispatch of six medical convoys as well as lighting a remote village in Kenya.

Concerning the Nile water file, Musyoka pledged his country will not harm Egypt's water interests and pointed to his country's understanding that the Nile is important for Egypt. He called on Egypt to consider signing a framework agreement for the Nile Basin initiative. Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation for the Kenyan stance and understanding that the Nile is important for Egypt as a lifeline, pointing out to Egypt's full conviction to cooperate with Nile Basin countries.

He asserted the importance for the Nile Basin countries to intertwine efforts to promote the initiative and continue institutional cooperation to achieve the aspirations of their peoples and avoid any harm to the interests of any of them. The meeting was attended by the Irrigation Minister Hisham Qandeel, members of the Foreign Minister's accompanying delegation and a host of Kenyan ministers and senior officials.