The two leaders discussed the GERD and a number of other issues during a three-day visit to Egypt by President Hassan, who arrived in Cairo on Wednesday.

During a joint press conference, President El-Sisi said Egypt is looking to secure its water rights through a fair and legally binding agreement with Ethiopia, which is constructing the dam on the main tributary to the Nile in Egypt.

The Egyptian president said that such a deal would be in accordance with international law as well as a UN Security Council presidential statement issued in September calling for the immediate resumption of talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.

El-Sisi said that reaching an agreement on the GERD would boost security and stability for all countries in the region and open up new horizons for cooperation between Nile basin countries.

El-Sisi and Hassan also discussed other issues including boosting economic and development cooperation between the two countries.

The Egyptian president said Egypt is ready to transfer its expertise and technical support to boost capabilities in Tanzania through training sessions provided by Egyptian institutions including the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development.

The two leaders also agreed to increase commercial exchange between the two countries as well as Egyptian investments in Tanzania, especially in infrastructure, electricity, health and agriculture following the success of Egyptian companies in Tanzania.  

For her part, President Hassan expressed her appreciation for her country’s historical relations with Egypt, stating that Tanzania is keen to enhance these relations in different fields, especially commercially and economically.

President Hassan said that Tanzania welcomes the participation of Egyptian companies in Tanzania's ambitious development plan, at the top of which is the Julius Nyerere Dam.

President El-Sisi said that the dam, which is being built by Egyptian companies, is a “symbol of friendship and cooperation” between Egypt and Tanzania.

"This project is an example of Egypt’s support for the rights of Nile Basin countries to make the best use of their water resources in a way that does not impact other countries negatively," he added.

In December 2018, Egypt's Arab Contractors and El-Sewedy Electric companies won a bid to build the dam at a cost of $2.9 billion. The dam is expected to be completely and inaugurated in 2022.

The Egyptian and Tanzanian presidents witnessed the signing of a number of MoUs between the two countries in education and sports.