Ethiopian Review

Addis Ababa – Ministers of Water Affairs of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) Member States adopted the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) on Friday after finalizing negotiations.

The decision that pave way for the establishment of the permanent River Nile Basin Commission was taken during the one day-extraordinary meeting held in Kinshasa, Democratic Congo.

In press statement he gave here on Tuesday after returning from the meeting, the Water Resource Minister Asfaw Dingamo said eight members of the NIB took part in the meeting.

The minister said the agreement would help the riparian countries to ensure equitable Nile water resource.

Egypt expressed reservation over the same article suggesting it reformulation by a panel of representative from three NBI members states moderated by an expert from an international organization, he said.

The minister said the decision would enable members’ states to use the Nile water resource equitably since it lays foundation as an international framework.

The decision would also help ensure equitable utilization of the water resource that has come out of win-win situation.

Asfaw said the agreement reached to establish the permanent River Nile Basin Commission would be signed after six months.

The Minister said the agreement is a success and ensure the national interest of Ethiopia.

The negotiation for a river Nile cooperative Framework agreement had been started in 1997, he said.

- ENA