Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan will sign a final agreement by theend of February on a disputed dam built by Ethiopia, the three nations said ina joint statement today.
For years, a diplomatic crisis has raged between thecountries because of Ethiopia's dam on the Blue Nile, which Cairo fearswill reduce its supply of water.
The US Treasury Department sponsored a meeting ofministers from the three countries in Washington lasting several days. A fewpoints are still outstanding. The final agreement will be signed in lateFebruary, it said.
The points agreed on Friday also provide mechanisms for howto fill the dam during periods of drought, and how to operate the power plantin the long term during droughts, a press release said.
They also discussed and agreed to finalize a mechanism forthe annual and long-term operation of the dam, a coordination mechanism, andprovisions for dispute resolution and information sharing.
The ministers also agreed to address dam safety and pendingstudies on the environmental and social impacts of the GERD.
Ethiopia began building the 4.8-billion-dollar hydroelectricdam in 2010, as part of a plan expand its power exports.
Egypt relies almost exclusively on the Nile for farming,industry and domestic water use and fears that the dam will reduce its watersupply. Ethiopia says Egypt's worries are baseless.
Sudan now sees some advantages for itself in the dam. Aroundtwo thirds of the construction is complete.
