Ramallah: The official ceremony of signing of the bilateral cooperation agreement between the State of Palestine and the Arab Republic of Egypt in the field of developing the capabilities of the State of Palestine to manage water resources, was held today at the headquarters of the Water Authority, and the Egyptian Ministry of Water and Irrigation through the video conference system. The agreement comes within the framework of the Cairo Water Week held in Cairo through the hybrid system.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Palestinian side, Minister of Water, Eng. Mazen Ghunaim, and the Egyptian government by Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Mohamed Abdel Ati, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the State of Palestine, Essam Ashour, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Amal Gado and the Palestinian Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Thiab Al-Louh.
In his speech, Minister Ghunaim praised the historical relationship between the Palestinian and Egyptian peoples and the continuous support of the Palestinian people based on a firm belief in the fairness of the Palestinian cause in the continuous struggle with the occupation on the ground, adding that the signing of the memorandum of understanding reflects the strength of the relationship between the two countries, through cooperation in the water field, and represents an opportunity to benefit from the long-standing experience of the Arab Republic of Egypt in developing strategic bases for water resources management and development and institutional capacity that ensures more effective and sustainable use of water resources is a real opportunity for sharing experiences and creating mutually supportive positions on existing challenges. In addition to its essential role in promoting fraternity and cooperation between the two countries in the interests of the two parties.
Minister Ghunaim referred in his speech to the difficult water challenges facing the Arab region, which are of central importance, from the issues of poverty, water scarcity, high water deficit rates, aggravated by the current pandemic, threats of climate change, and the crises that are at the core of the water conflict, as in Nahda dam, as in our Palestinian reality, as a result of the intransigence and practices of occupation on the ground, as well as the annexation plans, which are part of the century deal aimed at ending all the files of the final solution, including water, and depriving the Palestinian people of their historical rights in their land and resources, one of the main implication of the annexation is the completion of the occupation’s plans to take full control of all water sources. Thus, keeping the future of the Palestinian people hostage to Israeli control and eliminating the dream of establishing a Palestinian state.
On his part, the Egyptian Minister of Water and Irrigation confirmed that signing these agreements reinforces partnership and cooperation between countries in confronting the challenges facing the region as a result of water shortage and its reflection on different aspects of life, and the need to find solutions and mechanisms to alleviate water crises and their effects.
He pointed out that Egypt always seeks to offer Egyptian support and experience to the brothers in Palestine, and always welcomes cooperation in different fields to achieve stability and development for the Palestinian people. He also expressed appreciation to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian government for their efforts to achieve the interests of the Palestinian people.
