Diplomacy often unfolds gradually. But every so often, there are moments when the pace of change accelerates, when relationships evolve, trust deepens and opportunities align. The ties between the EU and the UAE are in such a moment.
When I arrived in Abu Dhabi two years ago, I sensed great potential in our partnership. However, what we have witnessed since then has gone far beyond potential – it has been a true transformation. Today, the relationship between the EU and the Emirates is entering a new phase: more strategic, more comprehensive and more aligned.
This new chapter is grounded in shared values and joint priorities. At a time when fears are rising and geopolitical tensions are sharpening, the EU and the UAE are choosing a different path, one of partnership, bridge building and opportunity.
In April, President Sheikh Mohamed and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to launch negotiations on an EU-UAE Free Trade Agreement, an agreement between the world´s largest economic bloc and a global trading hub. This historic event sets the stage for expanded economic ties across goods, services, digital trade and strategic sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen and critical raw materials.
The numbers already speak volumes. The EU is the UAE’s first investment partner and second-largest global trading partner. Our mutual investments amount to €328 billion ($382.86 billion). A future Free Trade Agreement should unlock untapped mutual benefits. But the potential of our relationship goes well beyond the existing context. For example, the EU and the UAE are currently negotiating a Strategic Partnership Agreement that will expand our co-operation to cover traditional and emerging sectors such as space, AI, cybersecurity, education, climate innovation, sustainability and much more, providing huge opportunities for further economic co-operation.
Our political engagement has also grown stronger through regular political and parliamentary exchanges. In June, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, for the first time addressed the Federal National Council in Abu Dhabi. Soon thereafter, and following months of joint efforts, the European Parliament decided to remove the UAE from its list of high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money-laundering legislation. This recognition of the progress made by the UAE in this area also stands as a testament to the enduring resilience and adaptability of European democracy. I am confident that our co-operation on this issue will continue to strengthen.
Nevertheless, diplomacy is not about progress only – it is also about facing challenges together. We are both navigating an increasingly volatile global landscape. War looms at our doorstep, and as Ms Metsola stressed during her speech before the FNC: “History has taught us that when the world feels like it is on fire, it is not enough to contain the flames. We need to extinguish them.”
When I arrived in Abu Dhabi two years ago, I sensed great potential in our partnership. However, what we have witnessed since then has gone far beyond potential – it has been a true transformation
Russia’s war in Ukraine remains the most pivotal and potent challenge for Europe’s future because it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake, but also European destiny. Having learnt through hardship, we believe that every country should have the freedom to shape its own future, and that borders must never be changed by force. The ripple effect of this war is already felt globally.
Our dedication to peace and co-existence also guides our approach to the Middle East. The EU is deeply concerned by the ongoing conflicts in the region, particularly the devastating humanitarian toll they are taking. The war in Gaza has brought appalling suffering to Palestinian civilians and continuous uncertainty for Israeli hostages and their families. The EU and UAE share a common goal: to restore the ceasefire that can lead to a just and lasting peace. The Emirates has played a vital role as a partner for diplomacy, humanitarian assistance and regional stability. We continue to be firm advocates for a two-state solution, based on mutual recognition and peaceful co-existence.
As I reflect on the past two years, I see more than just milestones reached. I see a relationship that is growing in confidence and clarity. This is just the beginning of a new chapter, one marked by openness, ambition and mutual respect. The path ahead is full of potential, and I look forward to shaping it alongside our Emirati partners, with the same spirit of co-operation that has brought us this far.
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Honeymoonish
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Fireball
Moscow claimed it hit the largest military fuel storage facility in Ukraine, triggering a huge fireball at the site.
A plume of black smoke rose from a fuel storage facility in the village of Kalynivka outside Kyiv on Friday after Russia said it had destroyed the military site with Kalibr cruise missiles.
"On the evening of March 24, Kalibr high-precision sea-based cruise missiles attacked a fuel base in the village of Kalynivka near Kyiv," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.
Ukraine confirmed the strike, saying the village some 40 kilometres south-west of Kyiv was targeted.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
I Feel Pretty
Dir: Abby Kohn/Mark Silverstein
Starring: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski, Rory Scovel
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The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
SERIE A FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)
Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
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Scores
Scotland 54-17 Fiji
England 15-16 New Zealand
Zayed Sustainability Prize
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
More on Coronavirus in France
RACECARD
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
