Ahmed’s comments came in response to questions from members of the Ethiopian parliament on several domestic, regional, and international issues during a session in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian media quoted Ahmed, describing the GERD as a "significant opportunity" for Sudan and Egypt.
He reiterated that the dam’s construction is now fully complete, claiming that it “will not harm the downstream countries.”
Ahmed also asserted that “Ethiopia will release water to Sudan and Egypt if a shortage arises” while affirming that “Ethiopia will not permit any threats to its sovereignty.”
In September, the Egyptian government re-expressed its firm rejection of Ethiopia’s unilateral actions regarding the disputed GERD in a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), following the fifth filling of the GERD, which commenced in July.
Over the past three years, Addis Ababa unilaterally completed four phases of filling the disputed dam and put two turbines into operation despite Egypt and Sudan's disapproval.
For more than a decade of negotiations, Egypt and Sudan have been seeking a legally binding agreement governing the filling and operating of the GERD that ensures their water security and the safety of their dams, along with Ethiopia's interests.
Egypt, which relies mainly on the Nile for its water needs, fears that the GERD will harm its already scarce water supply.
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