No progress on GERD talks as “fundamental” differences persist, Egypt says: Renewed talks over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) at the weekend failed to find a breakthrough, with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announcing that there are still “fundamental” differences over the legal and technical aspects of the dam. The three countries agreed last month to resume talks in a last-ditch effort to reach a final agreement on GERD before Ethiopia begins filling the dam’s reservoir later this month. The negotiations — which will focus on pending legal and technical issues, including how to monitor water flow and handle dry years — are being brokered by the African Union.