Addis Ababa, April 29, 2011 (Addis Ababa) - Egyptian public diplomatic delegation consisting of 38 members drawn from various sectors of the society arrived here on Friday for a four-day visit.
The delegation is expected to confer with higher level officials of the country on issues related to the equitable utilization of River Nile.

Delegation Coordinator, Mustafa El-Gundy said former Egyptian leaders ignored the necessity to create diplomatic relation with other African nations.

He said the new Egyptian administration is desirous to strengthen the relation with African countries.

Mustafa said all the Nile riparian countries have the right to develop and exploit the river equitably and expressed belief that the Nile riparian countries need to work together to develop the river and ensure equal utilization.

Most of the Egyptians do not accept the 1929 and 1959 agreement signed between Egypt, Sudan and Britain over the river Nile.

Wafd Party President, Dr. Sayd El-Badawi on his part said the aim of the visit is to re-establish the people-to-people relation between the two countries.

He said the Egyptian people support Ethiopia's efforts to develop and exploit the Nile.

Member of Youth Coalition of the Egyptian Revolution, Dr. Sally Moore said the Mubarak administration separated Egypt from other African countries.

According to her, the aim of the visit is to display Egypt's commitment to re-establish and strengthen the diplomatic ties with the African countries.

Majority of the youth, who participated in the revolution to overthrow Mubarak, support Ethiopia's right to develop and exploit the river, she said.

Son of the late President Gamal Abdel-Nasser, Hakim Abdel-Nasser on his part said the delegation is here to discuss with Ethiopians on the equal utilization of the Nile.

The visit will also strengthen the people to people relation between the two countries, he said.

According to Ethiopian Ambassador to Egypt, Mohamoud Dirir

, the delegation consists of the three presidential candidates, community leaders, judges, former MPs, youth representatives, among others.

The delegation will meet with President Girma Woldegiorgis, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarch, Abune Paulos as well as Speakers of the House of Peoples' Representatives and also the House of Federation.

T:1:20-2:00PM

E:3:20-3:25PM

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