The Ministry of Water and Energy disclosed on Saturday that the International Panel of Experts which has been investigating the efficacy of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam presented its final report to the governments of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

According to the press release from the Ministry,  the report indicates that the design of the GERD is based on international standards and principles.

The report showed that the Dam offers high benefit for all the three countries and would not cause significant harm on both the lower riparian countries, it said.

The Ministry said the panel of experts has suggested additional assessment on the possible impact of the GERD as well as proposed ideas that would help the basin countries’ benefit better from the Dam.

The panel also appreciated the initiative of Ethiopia to establish the panel in a bid to create trust with both countries, it said.

“The government would carefully assess the report by the panel of experts and facilitate cooperation forums to work together with lower riparian countries for common benefit,” the statement said.

The friendliness and strong ties with the basin countries as well as the relation based on common benefit on Nile issue would continue, it said

The Ministry praised governments of both countries for the cooperation they exhibited, the panel of experts and others who offered their support for the success of the assessment.

The International Panel of Experts established to assess the impact of the GERD on lower riparian countries has ten members composed of experts drawn from Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt and four international experts.

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Source: ERTA – June 1, 2013.