Egypt’s Prime Minister Essam Sharaf arrived in Ethiopia on Friday heralding a new “age of common interests” now that the “age of monopolies” is over. At a press conference to mark the start of his visit, Sharaf told reporters that “no one can stop the Nile Basin countries from cooperating and seeking joint development.”

Following a joint meeting between Egyptian and Ethiopian officials in the capital Addis Ababa, Sharaf said that the past should be left behind and that a new page will start. He denied reports that Ethiopia wants to cut Egypt's water supply from the Nile or that Egypt is against Ethiopian development.

The meeting in Addis Ababa dealt with several issues regarding Egyptian and Ethiopian relations and cooperation.