Cairo: Egypt and Sudan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on Nile water issues during talks held in Cairo on Thursday. Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam met with his Sudanese counterpart, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Esmat Qureshi Abdullah, in their first meeting since Qureshi assumed office.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Sewilam emphasized Egypt's intent to deepen collaboration with Sudan in all fields, particularly in water resources. Qureshi highlighted the strong ties between the two nations and their shared determination to enhance joint efforts. The ministers exchanged views on key issues related to the Nile, including the Ethiopian dam, underscoring the need for full compliance with international water law. They also discussed the future of the Nile Basin Initiative, stressing the importance of preserving it as a collective framework that accommodates the concerns of both Egypt and Sudan, while maintaining the current consultative mechanism as the only viable path to restoring consensus among all basin states.

The meeting also reviewed the work of the Joint Permanent Technical Commission for Nile Waters, which has seen high-level coordination between Egypt and Sudan, particularly through joint technical teams. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of continued daily coordination on monitoring river hydrology, dam operations, and water quality, to ensure optimal management of Nile waters for the benefit of both countries.