The EU's foreign affairs chief said at the bloc's first security and defence forum that he understood sharp criticism from Global South countries that they were not being treated as equal parties.
Those countries expressed frustration with Europe's disregard for their security fears, while expecting support for the West’s military backing of Ukraine against Russia.
Such criticism made the EU realise that it had not fully understood the “dramatic intensity” of other conflicts in the world “because it did not affect us directly”, said the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell, head of the EU’s external action service that organised the so-called Schuman conference.
“We Europeans must be much more on listening mode to be receptive and improve co-operation in addressing common security challenges,” Mr Borrell said.
At the same time, Europe’s strong support for Ukraine is clearly linked to the proximity of the conflict.
“We are human beings. We feel much more strongly what happens close to us,” said Mr Borrell.
The war in Ukraine has revealed stark divergences between the West and other leading world powers.
A recent survey conducted by a Berlin-based think tank has found that people in China, India and Turkey want the war to end as fast as possible though Europeans and Americans are more likely to support Ukraine until it regains its full territorial sovereignty.
This difference of opinion has come as a surprise for the West, which expected the rest of the world to rally to its view, according to a poll by the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Speaking at a panel on multilateralism, Nato deputy secretary general Mircea Geoana said that the defence minister of a “leading African country”, which he did not name, had asked him why the West had not supported countries that were the victims of aggression in the same way as it has helped Ukraine.
“It’s justified criticism,” Mr Geoana said. He stressed that the outcome of the war will have “immense consequences on the way forward”.
Many participants said that international organisations set up after of the Second World War had to be revisited.
Foreign Affairs Minister of Senegal Aissata Tall Sall said that the African continent, with its 1.3 billion citizens, needs to be represented at the G20 and the UN Security Council to secure equal partnerships.
She also called for action — not just reassuring words from the West about being heard. “What we are saying is very important but after saying it, let’s do it,” Ms Tall Sall said.
Her concerns were echoed by assistant secretary general of the League of Arab States Hossam Zaki.
“We are in 2023. We cannot continue to be governed by the fact that world nations that were at war 90 years ago are still shaping the world order,” Mr Zaki said.
“I think it is better to be looking for a multipolar world because of previous experiences when the unipolar world was the order. I think many have suffered.”
In a speech, Mr Borrell said he had heard the call for action and that some countries such as Niger and Somalia had asked the EU to send them ammunitions, as it has recently done for Ukraine.
“We are working to start delivering such equipment to our African partners in the coming months,” said Mr Zaki.
Mr Borrell also asked for more international support in the EU's military missions, drawing on the example of Chile sending soldiers to the Balkans. Morocco and Jordan have negotiated the legal framework to do the same.
Some of the forum's participants directly accused Europe of only defending its own interests.
“What I hear from yesterday and today is what Europe wants from us, but I don’t hear how we can reach that partnership,” said Ebtesam El Kitbi, head of the Emirates policy centre.
“We are plagued with many wars in our region, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, many of them, [but] when we need Europe to look at them, you are only looking at them from your own interest,” she said.
Answering Ms El Kitbi, Mr Geoana said that defending one's interests was to be expected.
“I think it’s only normal for nations across the world to benefit from this moment of disruption in the global balance of power, and regional players or continental players are trying to get a better seat at the table,” he added. “That’s normal. That’s legitimate.”
Mr Geoana called on countries to find common ground to establish partnerships, as the EU and Nato have previously done on space, climate change, new technologies and security.
He concluded by extending an open hand to Africa, which Russia has also been courting in the past years.
“The geography of my partnerships at Nato is only North Africa and the Gulf. I would love to have new partners to sub-Saharan Africa,” said Mr Geoana. “I am extending an invitation for you, if you think we can give help.”
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
Friday's schedule in Madrid
Men's quarter-finals
Novak Djokivic (1) v Marin Cilic (9) from 2pm UAE time
Roger Federer (4) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 7pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Alexander Zverev (3) from 9.30pm
Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11.30pm
Women's semi-finals
Belinda Bencic v Simona Halep (3) from 4.30pm
Sloane Stephens (8) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 10pm
Brief scores:
Barcelona 3
Pique 38', Messi 51 (pen), Suarez 82'
Rayo Vallecano 1
De Tomas Gomez 24'
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Predictions
Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:
- Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
- Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
- Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
- Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
- Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai
Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
MATCH INFO
Azerbaijan 0
Wales 2 (Moore 10', Wilson 34')
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)
Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)
Everton 1 Stoke City 0
Everton (Rooney 45 1')
Man of the Match Phil Jagielka (Everton)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
more from Janine di Giovanni
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The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
