Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, at the ninth Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate at Emirates Palace. Victor Besa / The National
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, at the ninth Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate at Emirates Palace. Victor Besa / The National
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, at the ninth Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate at Emirates Palace. Victor Besa / The National
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, at the ninth Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate at Emirates Palace. Victor Besa / The National

UAE has no interest in choosing sides between great powers, says Anwar Gargash


Anjana Sankar
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE will not take sides between nations but will engage with multiple partners to maintain its security and sovereignty, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, said on Monday.

“The UAE has no interest in choosing sides between great powers,” Dr Gargash said, in his address at the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate at Emirates Palace.

“Indeed, it is the central principle … that we will not, under any circumstances, sacrifice our sovereignty.

“Our primary strategic security relationship remains unequivocally with the United States.”

It is vital, as we navigate our way through these turbulent times in global politics, that all countries take a measured approach
Dr Anwar Gargash

He said the UAE will pursue a “multilayer approach” as a key foreign policy principle and maintain “balanced and diversified economic partnerships in a multipolar world”.

“The President [Sheikh Mohamed] understands that we are more secure because we do not rely on just one pillar for our security,” Dr Gargash said.

The two-day conference, which started today, will discuss key developments including the Ukraine war, regional conflicts, and the changing world order.

Dr Gargash said the partnership between the UAE and the US has been “close and mutually beneficial for decades” and they continue to value it greatly.

“Yet, it is vital that we find a way to ensure that we can rely on this relationship for decades to come through clear, codified and unambivalent commitments,” he said.

Listing key principles that drive the UAE’s foreign policy under Sheikh Mohamed, Dr Gargash said it welcomes constructive and collaborative engagement with other countries on promoting security and stability in the region.

“This multilayered approach is not only key for national security, but by avoiding complete dependence on just one or two other countries, it also ensures we retain our autonomy as a sovereign state,” he said.

“Currently, we are not dependent on just one or two countries for both our economic prosperity and our security. Our trade relations increasingly look to the East, while our primary security and investment relations in the West.

“This situation may evolve over time.”

Political resolution in Ukraine

He said one of the key principles of its foreign policy is also to build the capabilities of the UAE defence forces.

“We have witnessed how important it has been on various occasions, including when the terrorists attacked our country earlier this year,” said Dr Gargash, referring to the Houthi attack on UAE soil in January.

The Houthis, a Shiite militia backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the missile and drone attack that killed three people at an Adnoc oil facility.

Ukrainian serviceman stand in attention during Ukrainian President Zelensky's visit to the newly liberated city of Kherson on November 14, 2022. AFP
Ukrainian serviceman stand in attention during Ukrainian President Zelensky's visit to the newly liberated city of Kherson on November 14, 2022. AFP

Speaking about the ongoing war in Ukraine, Dr Gargash said the UAE firmly believes that only a political agreement will resolve the conflict.

He said the UAE has viewed the situation in Ukraine from a principled position aligned with international law with respect of national sovereignty.

“We have tried to help keep the door open for dialogue,” he said.

“It is vital as we navigate our way through these turbulent times in global politics, that all countries take a measured approach, abide by international law and invest seriously in seeking diplomatic solutions to the crisis.

“If we built into this, the fallout will be devastating and it cannot be contained to one or two countries.

“We must also ensure that an increasingly multipolar world and with rising tensions between great powers do not allow rise in economic protections.

“The UAE will always champion an open, global trading system. Everyone will end up worse if we close the international markets.”

He said it is also important to work hard to avoid power vacuums, which he said are “magnets” for extremists.

“The greatest victims of these vacuum is normal people,” he said.

2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWomen%E2%80%99s%20race%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Tigist%20Ketema%20(ETH)%202hrs%2016min%207sec%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Ruti%20Aga%20(ETH)%202%3A18%3A09%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dera%20Dida%20(ETH)%202%3A19%3A29%0D%3Cbr%3EMen's%20race%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Addisu%20Gobena%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A01%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lemi%20Dumicha%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A20%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20DejeneMegersa%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A42%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush

Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”

A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.

“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”

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SCORES

Multiply Titans 81-2 in 12.1 overs
(Tony de Zorzi, 34)

bt Auckland Aces 80 all out in 16 overs
(Shawn von Borg 4-15, Alfred Mothoa 2-11, Tshepo Moreki 2-16).

THE BIG THREE

NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m

ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m

RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m

CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
%3Cp%3EMannofield%2C%20Aberdeen%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAll%20matches%20start%20at%202pm%20UAE%20time%20and%20will%20be%20broadcast%20on%20icc.tv%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWednesday%2C%20Aug%2010%20%E2%80%93%20Scotland%20v%20UAE%3Cbr%3EThursday%2C%20Aug%2011%20-%20UAE%20v%20United%20States%3Cbr%3ESaturday%2C%20Aug%2014%20%E2%80%93%20Scotland%20v%20UAE%3Cbr%3EMonday%2C%20Aug%2015%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20United%20States%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAhmed%20Raza%20(captain)%2C%20Chirag%20Suri%2C%20Muhammad%20Waseem%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20CP%20Rizwan%2C%20Basil%20Hameed%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Zawar%20Farid%2C%20Kashif%20Daud%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Sabir%20Ali%2C%20Alishan%20Sharafu%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETable%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20(top%20three%20teams%20advance%20directly%20to%20the%202023%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Oman%2036%2021%2013%201%201%2044%3Cbr%3E2.%20Scotland%2024%2016%206%200%202%2034%3Cbr%3E3.%20UAE%2022%2012%208%201%201%2026%3Cbr%3E--%3Cbr%3E4.%20Namibia%2018%209%209%200%200%2018%3Cbr%3E5.%20United%20States%2024%2011%2012%201%200%2023%3Cbr%3E6.%20Nepal%2020%208%2011%201%200%2017%3Cbr%3E7.%20Papua%20New%20Guinea%2020%201%2019%200%200%202%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

if you go

The flights 

Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning. 

The trains

Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.

The hotels

Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.

How%20champions%20are%20made
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Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 0

Manchester City 2

Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'

Fines for littering

In Dubai:

Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro

Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle. 
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle

In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches 

The%20specs
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Updated: November 15, 2022, 4:07 AM`