The EU’s 27 foreign ministers are expected to hold an “open and serious discussion” on Thursday on Turkey’s long-standing membership bid at a meeting in Brussels, a senior official has said.
“It’s the moment to discuss one of the most important relationships with the EU, one of our biggest neighbours and a candidate to the union,” the official said of Turkey.
The foreign ministers are likely to signal a willingness to engage further with Turkey on key issues such as migration and finding a solution to diplomatic tensions over Cyprus but there is little expectation that Turkey will join the EU any time soon.
Turkey first applied to join the EU in 1987. Accession negotiations started in 2005 but came to a standstill in 2018 with the bloc concerned over Turkish democracy and rule of law. Tension between Turkey and EU-member Cyprus have further complicated Ankara’s ties with Brussels.
But relations have warmed since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was re-elected in late May. Last week, Turkey approved Sweden’s accession bid to Nato after more than a year of stalling.
European Council President Charles Michel said after a meeting with Mr Erdogan that he wanted to “re-energise” relations.
Mr Michel asked the bloc’s foreign and security policy chief Josep Borrell for a report “with a view to proceed in a strategic and forward-looking manner”.
Mr Borrell, who met Turkey’s new Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for the first time at a summit in Indonesia last week, is expected to submit his report to the council in October.
The senior EU official said Brussels welcomed recent economic decisions and “new appointments” made by Ankara.
Turkey is suffering a deep economic crisis with inflation close to 40 per cent. Its recently appointed central bank governor Hafize Gaye Erkan last month raised interest rates in a reversal of previous unorthodox policies.
Mr Borrell is expected to consult European foreign ministers before he starts his report.
But the EU official warned that Brussels and Ankara disagree on a number of issues that cannot be easily resolved.
“We have a number of issues on which we do not see eye-to-eye with Ankara,” said the official. “Now, we can see a certain change in approach in the new Turkish government. We want to test where we can go [with] that.”
Cyprus, the divided island
Members of the EU Parliament have also publicly expressed doubts that Turkey can join the EU before introducing deep rule-of-law reforms.
One of the main points of contention between the EU and Turkey is Cyprus. In its latest report on Turkey, the EU Commission in October highlighted Turkish threats to the island's sovereignty.
It also criticised Turkey’s “unilateral foreign policy” on Syria and Iraq, as well as Ankara’s “lack of alignment” with EU sanctions imposed on Russia.
The EU wants Turkey to back the UN’s efforts to reunite the island of Cyprus. The island has been divided since 1974 into a Turkish-controlled area in the north and the Republic of Cyprus, which became an EU member in 2004.
EU foreign ministers will also hold a 90-minute discussion with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken by video link.
They are scheduled to discuss major conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and also Russia’s decision to pull out of a Turkey-UN brokered deal that allowed Ukrainian grain to transit through the Black Sea.
Russia’s decision “is putting in danger the food security of hundreds of millions of people”, the senior EU official said.
“We are extremely concerned about that.”
The EU is not directly involved in negotiations between Russia, the UN and Turkey which brokered the deal in July last year.
Mr Erdogan has said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the deal to continue. Mr Fidan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov spoke on Monday. Russia wants a smoother path for its own exports of food and fertiliser.
The collapse of the deal was followed by attacks on the Odesa region of Ukraine, which lies on the Black Sea. Ukraine says its grain export infrastructure was damaged but has vowed it will not be intimidated and is setting up a temporary shipping route to Romania.
Russia on Tuesday said it had hit military targets in two Ukrainian port cities overnight as "a mass revenge strike" for a blast that damaged a bridge to Crimea, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014.
Ukraine’s Agriculture Ministry said 60,000 tonnes of grain had been destroyed at Chornomorsk port, south-west of Odesa.
Russia and Ukraine are among the world’s top grain exporters.
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Gina%20Prince-Bythewood%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Thuso%20Mbedu%2C%20Sheila%20Atim%2C%20Lashana%20Lynch%2C%20John%20Boyega%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
