Ukraine was poised on Thursday to be granted candidate status by the European Union, an important symbolic step in its quest to free itself once and for all from Russia’s unrelenting grip.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the expected decision would take Ukraine “into the light from the darkness”, after lobbying EU leaders to give hope to his people at a traumatic time for the country.
Moldova is also set to be named a candidate, with both countries told that progress towards joining the EU will depend on rooting out corruption and other reforms to meet the bloc’s standards.
The process could take many years and the leader of impatient fellow applicant Albania said the Ukrainian people should have no illusions about a rapid accession to the EU.
But EU leaders meeting in Brussels said candidate status for Ukraine would be a “historic moment”, as European Council President Charles Michel put it, and a show of solidarity while it fights Russia’s offensive.
“History is on the march,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as the 27 fully fledged members prepared to give their verdict on Ukraine’s application.
All 27 need to approve candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova but no country signalled in preliminary talks that it would block the process.
A senior EU official said surprises were always possible but that they did not foresee any problems. Hungary, which has angered allies with its hardball diplomacy over sanctions, has said it supports Ukraine’s application.
Ukraine applied in February and immediately won support from many countries in the former Soviet sphere of influence but senior figures in western Europe were unwilling to tear up the EU’s rule book.
But countries including Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands, which initially expressed reservations, have said they are willing to take the first step on Ukraine’s candidacy.
Germany wants to see language in the conclusions of this week’s EU meeting reflecting the fact that the bloc must also be ready to absorb new members, government sources said.
The commission recommended last week that Ukraine’s application be taken forward on the understanding that it strengthens the integrity of its courts and tackles the “excessive influence” of wealthy oligarchs.
Georgia, another former Soviet country seeking EU membership, is likely to be told it is not yet ready for candidate status like Ukraine or Moldova, but can realise its ambition if it makes the necessary reforms.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Georgia “should not look at that in a negative way … now they have a clear path”.
Ukraine has long sought Nato as well as EU membership, although it has indicated it could drop that demand in any peace deal with Moscow. Preventing Ukraine's western drift was widely seen as the ultimate goal of Russia's invasion in February.
Balkan countries that have been in the EU’s waiting room for longer did not express resentment towards Ukraine’s rapid progress but said it was time their applications were taken forward, too.
Albania and North Macedonia are candidate countries but progress on their applications is effectively blocked by Bulgaria, which has a variety of historical and political grievances with North Macedonia.
That logjam was only made more complicated when the Bulgarian government was defeated in a confidence vote on the eve of Thursday’s summit.
“It’s a disgrace that a Nato country, Bulgaria, kidnaps two other Nato countries … in the midst of a hot war in Europe’s backyard,” said Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
He said it was “a good thing to give candidate status [to Ukraine] … but I hope the Ukrainian people will not make many illusions”.
EU officials have spoken of trying to offer applicant countries some of the benefits of being in the European fold before their accession is complete.
Leaders were expected to discuss French President Emmanuel Macron’s idea of a looser geopolitical community that could include Ukraine or even Eurosceptic countries such as Britain.
But Vjosa Osmani, president of fellow applicant Kosovo, expressed hope that Ukraine’s candidate status could provide momentum to the long-stalled applications from the Balkans.
“I don't see any harm whatsoever towards the Western Balkans if Ukraine and Moldova move on, quite the opposite,” she said.
“I believe that by opening their doors to Ukraine and Moldova, the European Union is sending a strong message that this is of geostrategic importance, it's a geopolitical decision and that's exactly what the Western Balkans needs.”
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
Results
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
At a glance
- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years
- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills
- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis
- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector
- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes
- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
