European leaders have agreed on the first steps on sanctions against Turkey in response to Ankara's prospecting for gas in Greek and Cypriot waters.
After a marathon summit on Thursday, EU leaders agreed to target the sanctions on individuals in the first instance but further measures could be imposed "if Turkey pursues its actions".
"Turkey has engaged in unilateral actions and provocations and escalated its rhetoric against the EU, EU Member States and European leaders," a statement said after a debate at a summit in Brussels.
"Turkish unilateral and provocative activities in the Eastern Mediterranean are still taking place, including in Cyprus's exclusive economic zone."
The sanctions are in response to Turkey challenging Greek and Cypriot territory by gas drilling in the Mediterranean Sea.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the EU's "firmness" on Turkey but there will be disappointment in Greece and Cyprus that the leaders did not agree to seek an arms embargo or to target entire sectors of Turkey's economy. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she hoped the messages sent by the EU would be "received correctly".
The conclusions called for a list to be drawn up of targets for "restrictive measures". Turkey said the EU plan to draw up sanctions was both partisan and illegal.
"We reject the biased and unlawful attitude which had to be inserted into the December 10 EU summit conclusions after the pressure of solidarity and veto," the foreign ministry said after the meeting.
France, Greece, and Cyprus had pushed for tough action against Turkey, but other EU nations including Germany, Italy and Poland opposed slapping broad sanctions or an embargo on a fellow NATO member.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that some "countries in the EU with common sense displayed a positive approach and foiled this game”.
Ahead of the summit, Mr Erdogan dismissed the sanctions threat: “Turkey does not care much about any sanctions decision to be made by the EU. The EU has never treated us honestly. The EU has never stood by any promise it has given us but we always remained patient and we are still patient."
The EU announcement comes a day after US plans to sanction Turkey over its S-400 air defence system, which was controversially purchased from Russia, were reported by the Washington Post. Mr Erdogan said any US sanctions would be "disrespectful".
President Donald Trump, who once called Mr Erdogan a "good friend", avoided sanctioning Turkey under a 2017 law known as CAATSA, which lays out measures against nations that buy significant quantities of arms from US adversaries, including Russia.
However, with weeks left of his presidency, Mr Trump plans to impose sanctions against Ankara "in the coming days for purchasing and testing" the S-400s.
Mr Erdogan said: "While they (US administrations) say with pride 'We have a NATO country like Turkey', for them to now stand up and confront Turkey with CAATSA, once more it's a disrespect to a very important NATO partner.
"I don't know where this will lead to before Trump leaves but during the four-year Trump period, I didn't have any problems in communicating with America.”
Ties between the US and Turkey have been strained over multiple issues, including US support for a Kurdish militia in Syria viewed as terrorists by Ankara, as well as the S-400s.
However, Mr Erdogan appeared to suggest relations could improve under president-elect Joe Biden, as he said he knew the former vice president under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama. "He is someone who knows me very well. And I know him very well," Mr Erdogan said.
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The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
The specs: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Price, base: Dh198,300
Engine: 2.0L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7L / 100km
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
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Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
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Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
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AiFlux – renewables, oil and gas
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Farmdar – agriculture
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1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
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