The UAE has sent one of its most prominent diplomats to France to serve as Abu Dhabi’s ambassador in a year that has witnessed an unprecedented strengthening of relations between the two countries.
After eight years as ambassador to Moscow, Omar Ghobash was named as the UAE’s man in Paris. He presented his letters of credentials to President Emmanuel Macron earlier this month.
2017 was a big year for relations between the two countries, with the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, a project ten years in the making. Speaking to The National from Paris, in his first interview since formally taking up his post, Mr Ghobash was in high spirits.
“I am over the moon," he admitted with undisguised candour. "I never expected this. My boss, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (UAE Foreign Minister), looked at me and could see I was dumbfounded when he told me that he was moving me to Paris. I find it fascinating.” Ambassador Ghobash says this is also an important time for France. “Under the presidency of Emmanuel Macron; it becomes extremely interesting. He is an activist president, we have an activist leadership in the Emirates, we see all kinds of possibilities. Having these leaders coming together means pushing together a better vision for the world."
That vision includes stability and growth in the Middle East. France and the UAE have a defence pact and Mr Ghobash is much encouraged by France takes a keen interest in the region.
“My understanding is that Macron sees the Middle East as somewhat directly affecting Europe, in a way that it doesn’t affect other countries like the United States," he said. President Macron’s understanding of the impact of the region on Europe is driving his policies. “For that reason, the Libyan question is very important, as is the stability of North Africa. We are seeing a lot of activity on Libya and we are also seeing a lot of activity over the Syrian question and a desire to bring [the war] to an end. This could be an area for common work between the Russians who have a great deal to say about the Middle East and France which has great interests there.”
France of course also has strong ties with Qatar. Mr Ghobash acknowledges that these ties are likely to continue. However, he added, “France has different types of relationships in the region.. they have more commonality with the Emirates on their vision for the Middle East, and while I won’t say they are taking sides on this issue, they also agree with us on the need for more control over funding [of extremist groups] and more transparency on the funding.”
One priority for the new ambassador is how the UAE is perceived in the French media. “It is a problem we face along with the rest of the Arab world. Our research is telling us that we are not really differentiated in the minds of the French. What we want to do is to get out to the broader public the ideas we stand for, in particular the model that UAE can present as a progressive and advanced Arab country.”
Communication is one of Mr Ghobash’s strengths. He stands out not only through his media appearances in the Arab world and abroad, but also in his writing. His book, Letters to a Young Muslim, was widely acclaimed. The New York Times said the book embodies the “sort of wisdom that creates hope for a world in which people are smart enough to work together toward a common good rather than claw at one another while slowly sinking in quicksand.”
Showcasing UAE innovation will be a focal point in his tenure in France. “We really want to stress the innovation that takes place on the level of government, for example with the Minister of Artificial Intelligence. We will also be talking about the issue of happiness and wellness, tolerance and youth. It often comes across [to outsiders] as surprising that anyone in the volatile Arab world would be interested in that at the government level.”
Science and technology are increasingly finding their place in the front ranks of Emirati diplomacy. Mr Ghobash said: “We would be very happy to work with the French on this. In the past months, our conversation with the French were that we are looking to see French technologies being stood up in the UAE with our participation.”
In an impassioned speech in Abu Dhabi last month, President Macron made a commitment to support the teaching and use of French all over the world. Mr Ghobash said: “It is my understanding, we will be looking at introducing French into our school system, and education also helps to spur innovation’.
Mr Ghobash is currently taking "top-up French lessons", but his language skills are good enough for him to have presented his letters of credentials in French. Fluent in Arabic and English, he says his French is now better than his Russian.
He was posted as ambassador to Russia at a time when Moscow had a limited presence in the Arab world. Asked what he learned from that posting, he says, “Two main takeaways. One is the power of communication and the importance of clarity in communication to get things done; and the second is not to underestimate the side that you are dealing with." He explains his point further. “In the case of Russia, in 2008-2009 it was almost on its knees because of the financial crisis and hardly had strong ties to the Arab world. By 2017 they look like they are playing a major role in the Arab world. So always bear in mind how things can change and one must always be ready to recognise a change in circumstances.”
His posting in Paris is starting on a high after last month’s Louvre Abu Dhabi. “In all my conversations with French officials, each one of them has stressed the incredible importance of the Louvre to this relationship. It really demonstrates the difference with which they treat us in the Emirates. They chose the Emirates to partner with on the Louvre. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a platform to provide greater understanding. We are providing a platform to present a universal message that we in the UAE, as a leadership and people, recognise. We have a relationship (with France) for the Louvre based on expertise and cultural ties, yet is not exclusive, the way we are curating the Louvre Abu Dhabi is based on universality. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a starting point for a discussion about arts and culture, not just in the UAE and the Arab world, but globally’.
Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
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The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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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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
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Specs
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km
Price: From Dh292,845 (Reserve); from Dh320,145 (Presidential)
On sale: Now
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
