Now to the sticky issue on the use of the River Nile's waters. Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have held talks at the expert level. But the three countries have not yet reached an agreement on the technical issues related to the Renaissance Dam being constructed in Ethiopia. Another set of talks at the ministerial level is expected on the 15th. Egypt fears the dam could reduce the country's share from the Nile. Here's Yasser Hakim with the details.

It's been a slow process. Continuous discussions over the Renaissance Dam have yielded no results. And for the first time, Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry has shown signs of frustration.

SAMEH SHOUKRY EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER "Egypt feels there must be the need for a faster pace of negotiations. It's been three years or more since the signing of the Declaration of Principles in Khartoum and the situation is still at a stalemate in the technical path and the studies related to the effects of the dam so we can agree on the filling and the operation of the dam."

One of the issues is that Ethiopia wants to fill the reservoir of the dam in three years. Technical studies prove that filling the dam in less than six years would mean a reduction of its annual water share from 55.5 billion cubic meters to 37.5 billion. Egypt's water share could even drop by half in case of low floods.

GAMAL RAIF EDITOR IN CHIEF, OCTOBER WEEKLY "On the level of the three leaders of the countries there is an understanding and similarities in their points of view. But this needs to be translated on the ground. We have seen positive statements from Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed that Egypt's water security will not be harmed. The same statements have been made from Sudan's president. So there is political closeness, but we are still in a situation that lacks any improvement on the technical side of the issue."

Cairo has also maintained that it supports Ethiopia's efforts to develop its economy through the Renaissance Dam. Shoukry says Egypt has been patient and flexible throughout the long negotiating process. But he stressed a deal has to be struck soon.

SAMEH SHOUKRY EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER "Egypt is keen on these meetings to take place because this issue is important and is seen as a priority by us. We have to engage in talks especially as the construction of the dam is ongoing without any delays. We have to work on a full implementation of the Declaration of Principles quickly before we find ourselves in front of a reality that will need to be dealt with in a short period of time."

Ninety-five percent of Egypt's water resources comes from the Nile River and Cairo wants assurances that the Renaissance Dam will not affect the annual water flow to the country.

YASSER HAKIM CAIRO, EGYPT "The last round of talks in Khartoum have witnessed a stalemate. Egypt feels the meetings on the 15th of May followed by the tripartite summit are crucial for a breakthrough to avoid any future conflicts over the dam."