Cairo: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilam and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty have asserted Egypt's rejection of unilateral actions in the Eastern Nile Basin that violate international law. They emphasized that Egypt continues to closely monitor developments in the region and is prepared to take all necessary measures under international law to protect the existential interests of its people.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the ministers reaffirmed the importance of continued consultation and close coordination between their respective ministries to ensure the achievement of Egypt's national goals and safeguard its water security. This coordination extends to overseeing the implementation of ongoing and future projects in the Nile Basin countries. A joint statement issued by both ministries revealed that Sweilam received Abdelatty to discuss coordination on water-related issues at regional and international levels.

The discussions also covered ways to strengthen Egypt's historical ties and cooperation with the Nile Basin countries, along with the latest developments in the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) consultations. These consultations aim at restoring consensus and inclusivity among the Nile Basin countries. Both ministers emphasized Egypt's steadfast commitment to cooperation and mutual benefit with all Nile Basin countries, ensuring the development interests of these nations while preserving Egypt's water security through adherence to international law.

Furthermore, the ministers highlighted Egypt's continued and historic support for development efforts in the Nile Basin countries, particularly the Southern Nile Basin. A financing mechanism with a budget of $100 million has been launched to fund studies and development projects in these countries. They also underscored the important role of initiatives like the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development and the Egyptian Initiative for the Development of Nile Basin Countries. These initiatives aim to foster cooperation, promote mutual benefits, conserve water resources, and maximize their utility, reflecting the success of joint projects and training programs carried out in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Tanzania.