Prime Minister Essam Sharaf received in Cairo on Monday 14/11/2011 Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarch Abune Paulos who arrived in Cairo Sunday 13/11/2011 to participate in the 40th anniversary of the enthronement of Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III.

The ministers of tourism and justice and representatives from the Coptic Orthodox Church led by Secretary of the Holy Synod Anba Bishoi attended the meeting.

Sharaf affirmed the depth of Egyptian-Ethiopian relations throughout history and the importance of the Nile River to both of them as a source of development rather than differences.

Cabinet Spokesman Mohamed Hegazi said that the Nile is a source for development, not tensions or harm to one-another.

Both countries agreed on developing water resources to benefit all parties in accordance with developing relations in all fields.

"Both countries should benefit from a mutual historical heritage as the oldest civilizations to build to close relations based on cooperation," Paulos said. "The immortal Nile is a sufficient source to help Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. It is the source of development."

Paulos expressed his country's desire to help Egypt in this critical period, and offered his prayers to God for stability and security.

Paulos also expressed his gratitude for the Egyptian medical mission that visited Ethiopia.

Source: Egypt State Information Service (Cairo)