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Sudanese Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Yasser Abbas, said the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is safer than the dams in Sudan and Egypt.

“The Renaissance Dam’s degree of safety is better than that of Sudanese dams and Egypt’s High Dam, based on some studies,” Abbas said in a television interview.

This, he explained, is due to the materials and technology used in its construction.

“We only side with our interests, and sometimes they go along with those of Egypt or Ethiopia. When we said that the Renaissance Dam is beneficial to us, we were accused of siding with Ethiopia,” he indicated.

Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have been in talks for a couple of years in an effort to reach an agreement on the dam. Egypt fears that Ethiopia’s dam will reduce its water supplies.

However, Ethiopia says the dam was not intended to harm Egypt’s interests but has been built to generate electricity.

Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed stated planting trees in a physically distanced manner and at family level need not deter nation’s COVID 19 prevention efforts.

“With the launch of this year’s Green Legacy, let us not think that the government is asking citizens to throw caution to the wind.” the Prime Minister stressed.

According to the Premier, the already launched tree planting campaign is an opportunity for innovators and critical thinkers to constructively explore how and in what ways the country can meet its 5 billion trees target in a COVID 19 responsive way.

“Strictly adhering to prevention measures is critical. Nevertheless, we can also maintain productivity and meet our goals while observing these measures put in place.” he added.

The premier said the country has set up a Ministerial Committee to oversee prevention efforts even before the first case of coronavirus in the country.

“Since then various sub-committees have been formed to ensure adequate preparedness and response in containing and mitigating the virus.” the premier noted.

COVID 19 sub-committees have focused on setting up isolation, quarantine and treatment centers, procuring and soliciting support for medical supplies, mobilizing resources locally and abroad, Preparing food stockpiles for the most vulnerable, and putting into effect various macroeconomic regulations, Dr. Abiy underscored.

The enforcement of various measures has been taken to ensure the readiness by the public for a surge period in positive cases, which the country is witnessing now as community spread.

The role that each and every individual has played over the last three months to stop the spread of the virus should not be underestimated, Dr. Abiy underlined.

“Green Legacy is not a one day event. It will happen throughout the rainy season. It can be realized at the individual and household level.” the Prime Minister added.

ጋን በጠጠር ይደገፋል እንዲሉ የስጦታ ትንሽ የለውም! እናመሰግናለን!

Thank you for your kindness!
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together!

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew today held discussion with Algerian ambassador to Ethiopia, Salah Francis Elhamdi.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations and higher education opportunities to Ethiopian diplomats in Algeria, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Gedu assured the ambassador of Ethiopia’s commitment to further strengthen its relations with Algeria.

He also briefed the Algerian ambassador about the tripartite talks being held between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The Algerian ambassador for his part said Ethiopia has full rights to expedite its development by using the Nile River to lift its people out of poverty.

According to him, dialogue is the only means to solve unresolved issues regarding the dam.

Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Minister, Gedu Andargachew, has held phone talks with Sigrid Kaag, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands.

The discussion focused on ways of strengthening bilateral relations, regional and global cooperation between the two countries.

Gedu said Ethiopia is committed to further cement its ties with the Netherlands, including in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

He also briefed Kaag about the current status of the coronavirus outbreak in Ethiopia and the measures being taken to reduce its adverse effect on the country’s economy.

The Netherlands is endeavouring to toughen its relations with Ethiopia, Kaag said, adding her country is also working closely with the EU and other international agencies to address the socio-economic impact of the pandemic.