CAIRO — In the wake of the tripartite meeting between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq on Oct. 13 in Cairo, Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi said, “Water security is part of Arab security and Jordan stands by Egypt in all its steps regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.” He added, “Egypt has taken a rational stance that aims at a consensual solution for the GERD that preserves the rights of all parties and is based on international law.”

Egypt is counting on Arab support in the GERD negotiations. During the March 4 Arab League foreign ministers' meeting, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry called on the Arab League to support Egypt's draft resolution as presented to the UN Security Council. Shoukry said that such support will show Ethiopia that the Arab states back Egypt and Sudan’s positions.

At another extraordinary session of the Council of the Arab League, held at the request of Egypt on June 23, Shoukry called on “all brotherly Arab countries to support [Egypt’s] moves in this vital issue that affects the capabilities of over 150 million citizens living on the banks of the Nile River in both Egypt and Sudan.”

The GERD negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan under the auspices of the African Union have been stumbling since the negotiating parties failed to reach a binding legal agreement for operating and filling the GERD during the latest negotiation session on Aug. 28.