Egypt invited Sudan and Ethiopia to a new round of talks on the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam at the beginning of July, Egypt's Irrigation Minister Hossam Moghazi said on Thursday.

This step comes as part of preparations for signing a contract with the two international consultancy offices that will complete technical studies on the controversial dam, he added in statements.

He noted that the water ministers of the three countries will convene on July 1-3 to review and evaluate technical and financial bids by the two consultancy offices.

A big ceremony will be organized either in Cairo or Khartoum to celebrate the signing of the contract with the two consultancy offices on July 11, he said.