ABU DHABI // The UAE has joined the seven other members of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative to call for the ban of the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
At a meeting in The Hague this week, the members - the UAE, the Netherlands, Canada, Chile, Germany, Mexico, Poland and Turkey - focused on the commencement of negotiations of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.
NPDI members, including the UAE, urged North Korea to heed the strong warning and condemnation repeatedly expressed by the international community with regard to the country's missile testing.
The group also stated that they deeply regretted the lack of progress and advancement achieved at the latest Iranian nuclear talks meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Sheikh Abdullah, the UAE Foreign Minster, had private discussions with Frans Timmermans, minister of foreign affairs of the Netherlands on the relations between the UAE and the Netherlands, especially in the areas of investment, trade, culture and politics.
In addition, they exchanged views on important regional issues, most notably Iran, Syria, and the Middle East peace process.
The UAE minister stressed there was joint interest to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries and encourage mutual investments as well as opening new markets.
Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE market was open to Dutch business and that the UAE was an exemplary partner for the Netherlands in the Arabian Gulf region.
On the sidelines, Sheikh Abdullah also met with the Japanese foreign minister, Fumio Kishida, to discuss bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.
amustafa@thenational.ae
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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