An inter-governmental panel formed by Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia is expected to convene Wednesday in Adis Ababa to select an advisory technical panel that will conduct studies on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the source of a four-year diplomatic standoff among the three states.
The target consultancy panel will analyze the technical, social, economic and environmental effects of the dam which Ethiopia has stated will not affect the flow of the Nile River to the downstream states, Egypt and Sudan; two countries that have a historical share of the waters based on a 1959 agreement.
The inter-governmental body is comprised of the ministries of foreign affairs, water resources and international cooperation from the three countries.
Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan signed an agreement two weeks ago which set principles of cooperation over the Nile River dispute, which observers said mounted to an official Egyptian recognition of the dam.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
