Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has said that Egypt is open to discussing potential amendments to the framework agreement governing the waters of the Nile, provided there is strict adherence to international law—particularly the principles of prior notification and the obligation not to cause harm.
He stressed that Egypt’s water security is a “red line” and an existential issue that cannot be compromised.
The remarks were made during a joint press conference in Cairo with the foreign minister of South Sudan, during which several regional issues were discussed.
Abdelatty noted Egypt’s active participation in the ongoing consultations under the “3+4” format, which brings together countries that have signed and ratified the agreement alongside others that have not. He said the talks have yielded consensus on the importance of maintaining dialogue and the possibility of adding protocols that take into account the interests of all Nile Basin states.
He concluded by emphasizing that Egypt’s near-total dependence on Nile waters makes any attempt to undermine its share unacceptable, reiterating Cairo’s firm rejection of any unilateral actions.
