Egypt signed an agreement on the rules of filling and operating the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), after five-year negotiations, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Egypt's participation in the GERD talks on February 27-28, was aimed at reaching a final agreement on the filling and operation of the dam, according to the statement.

Throughout the past years negotiations, which were not fruitful, Egypt showed good faith for reaching an agreement that preserves its interests along with the interests of Sudan and Ethiopia, the statement added.

It also hailed the constructive role of the US and the World Bank in sponsoring the intensified round of negotiations during the past four months in order to reach a final agreement on the measures of dealing with drought, prolonged drought as well as the dry years.

Egypt has signed the agreement that protects its right to Nile water and averts causing harm to it, the statement said, voicing Egypt's hope that Sudan and Ethiopia will accept and sign the agreement shortly.

The ministry said that the deal is just, balanced and guarantees the mutual interests of the three countries, the statement indicated.

It further regretted the absence of Ethiopia during the meeting at this decisive stage of the negotiations. MENA