A functional working relationship with Iran is crucial to the future of stability in the Middle East, a senior UAE official has said.
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, said the UAE was reaching out to all sides in the region in a bid to reduce tensions.
“We are reaching out to friends and also adversaries to build bridges,” he said in a panel session on the opening day of the World Government Summit, at Expo 2020 Dubai.
We are not going to agree with everything they [Iran] want to do. Our whole intention is to find a way to functionally work with Iran and ensure there is an agenda for stability
Dr Anwar Gargash,
Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President
“We are not going to agree with everything they want to do. The Middle East is not only about Iran and Israel.
“Our whole intention is to find a way to functionally work with Iran and ensure there is an agenda for stability and prosperity in the region that includes Iran, and others.
“The other important element is that energy is coming back as a major component of Middle East issues.”
Earlier this month, Dr Gargash said the UAE would play an important role in dialogue to resolve crises in the Arab World, citing the recent visit of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad as an example of astute diplomacy.
Although relations with the Syrian government and the rest of the Arab world had been restored, no decision has been made on its involvement with the Arab summit scheduled for November in Algeria.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, recently said the Syrian regime was unlikely to be readmitted due to a lack of consensus from other nations.
Dr Gargash said issues between democracy and authoritarianism were not binary, with the pandemic highlighting the pros and cons of good governance.
“Ultimately, you need something in the middle of both,” he said.
“Every democratic attempt in the Arab world has turned ideological or tribal, so I’m not sure it is something we can work out successfully.
“But we do need governance, and that needs a lot of components. This is perhaps in the middle of the two.”
At the same session titled “Are we ready for a new world order?", Frederick Kempe, president and chief executive of the Atlantic Council, said legitimacy in governments accepted by citizens was the most effective way to build societies.
People want freedom, human rights and governments to ensure order, safety and healthcare
Frederick Kempe,
President of the Atlantic Council
“The issue is having an effective government and whether people consider it legitimate,” he said. “Democracy is one way to achieve it, but there are other ways.
“Legitimacy is gained by governments that can deliver the goods and effectiveness to their people.
“People want freedom, human rights and governments to ensure order, safety and health care.
“This new era of technological change is getting fast all the time, and they can be used to enlighten and deliver better government services.”
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Squad for first two ODIs
Kohli (c), Rohit, Dhawan, Rayudu, Pandey, Dhoni (wk), Pant, Jadeja, Chahal, Kuldeep, Khaleel, Shami, Thakur, Rahul.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Not Dark Yet
Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer
Four stars
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Brief scoreline:
Wolves 3
Neves 28', Doherty 37', Jota 45' 2
Arsenal 1
Papastathopoulos 80'
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
The biog
DOB: 25/12/92
Marital status: Single
Education: Post-graduate diploma in UAE Diplomacy and External Affairs at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: I love fencing, I used to fence at the MK Fencing Academy but I want to start again. I also love reading and writing
Lifelong goal: My dream is to be a state minister
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
