Declaration of principles positive step along right track

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Tuesday asserted that the agreement on the Document of the Declaration of Principles on the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, that was signed in Khartoum on Monday, is a positive step along the right track for cooperation among the three countries on the Nile issue.
At a joint press conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn after their talks here, Sisi expressed aspiration for more cooperation between Egypt and Ethiopia.
He further underlined the importance of activating the joint ministerial committee.
"We are seeking through these efforts to enhance confidence-building measures and removing suspicions some might have", he added.
He pointed out to his talks earlier in the day with the Ethiopian president and prime minister on ways of boosting bilateral cooperation. He said they shared the same views on confronting terror.
 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi added at the joint press conference that his visit to Addis Ababa is made at an invitation from the Ethiopian prime minister.
"I would seize this opportunity to thank the Ethiopian government and people for the hospitality of reception". he added.
Talks with the Ethiopian prime minister touched on means of promoting joint cooperation at the various levels, added the president, noting that they have also exchanged views over several regional and international issues of common concern; especially those related to peace and security in Africa.
The two sides, added the president, shared identical views regarding the common danger besetting Africa and the world at large which is terrorism.
The threat of terrorism requires squaring all efforts together for protecting the present and future of our peoples, added president Sisi.
As for the issue of the Renaissance Dam, the Egyptian president pointed out that the declaration of principles, that was signed in Khartoum on Monday, constitutes a positive step along the right path for cooperation among the three countries.
 For his part, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn described the visit of the Egyptian president to his country as historic and attesting to the depth of relations between both countries.
He held that the two countries have attained a great deal of confidence-building.
The views of both sides were identical regarding several issues at the African and international levels including terrorism, which is "besetting all of us", he added.
Source: AFP