Egypt backs Ethiopian development efforts

Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said on Saturday Egypt supported the Ethiopian development efforts which would not affect Egypt's Nile water interests.
Mahlab's comments came during his meeting with visiting Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Abune Mathias.
During the meeting, Mahlab welcomed the Ethiopian clergyman, hailing his visit as "confirmed the deeply-rooted relations between the leaderships and peoples of the two countries."
Cabinet spokesman Hossam Gawish said that Mahlab conveyed a message to the Ethiopian people that Egypt backed the Ethiopian efforts to achieve development without affecting Egypt's share of the Nile water.
"The Ethiopian side has the right to generate electricity and Egypt has the right to protect its quota of the Nile water," Mahlab stressed during the meeting.
He also asserted the necessity of the two sides working on boosting the bilateral ties in all fields.
For his part, the Ethiopian patriarch expressed his happiness over President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's participation in the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church's celebration of the Christmas.