Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Getty Images
Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Getty Images
Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Getty Images
Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Getty Images

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UAE

UAE calls for Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian access at EU meeting

Lana Nusseibeh called for border crossing restrictions to be lifted immediately and faster screening of aid deliveries

The National

May 29, 2024

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Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's Assistant Minister for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said this week's meeting of Arab leaders with the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels showed that the bloc wanted closer ties with the region.

“One recurring message from my engagements here was the desire to further strengthen the co-ordination between the EU and Arab partners," Ms Nusseibeh, also envoy of the Foreign Minister to the EU, said of the two-day meeting, Wam reported on Wednesday.

She attended along with foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as the Arab League Secretary General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, on Monday and Tuesday.

Monday’s council session was part of a two-day set of high-level meetings focused on the war in Gaza.

The discussion focused on the Middle East Peace Process, and how to strengthen co-operation between the EU and Arab countries, with a view to finding a political solution to the conflict in Gaza.

Throughout the discussions in Brussels, Ms Nusseibeh called for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, unconditional release of hostages, respect for international law, and renewed commitment by Israel and a reformed Palestinian Authority to the two-state-solution.

“The UAE is the largest bilateral humanitarian aid donor to Gaza," she said.

"Since the start of the conflict, the UAE has delivered more than 32,000 tonnes of food, medical supplies and other items essential to alleviating the suffering of the civilian population."

UAE drop aid into Gaza - in pictures

  • Palestinians rush to intercept humanitarian aid packages as they land in the northern Gaza Strip, dropped by a UAE plane in a joint effort with Egypt. All photos: AFP
    Palestinians rush to intercept humanitarian aid packages as they land in the northern Gaza Strip, dropped by a UAE plane in a joint effort with Egypt. All photos: AFP
  • Men carry boxes of aid through the rubble of damaged buildings after the airdrop
    Men carry boxes of aid through the rubble of damaged buildings after the airdrop
  • The packages are a lifeline for many amid the continuing war in the Gaza Strip
    The packages are a lifeline for many amid the continuing war in the Gaza Strip
  • A youth carries a box of aid to his family
    A youth carries a box of aid to his family
  • The additional supplies – including food – were sent by parachute into remote areas
    The additional supplies – including food – were sent by parachute into remote areas
  • The UAE has been donating humanitarian relief to Gaza since shortly after the latest war began
    The UAE has been donating humanitarian relief to Gaza since shortly after the latest war began
  • A man collects this aid package from the UAE-Egypt airdrop
    A man collects this aid package from the UAE-Egypt airdrop

Ms Nusseibeh also provided an update on UAE efforts to provide medical treatment and access to drinking water for people in Gaza.

She briefed those present on the latest aid shipment through the maritime corridor from Cyprus, delivering 1,100 tonnes to the enclave.

Ms Nusseibeh acknowledged that such efforts cannot compensate for the lack of access through border crossings, calling for restrictions to be lifted immediately and for faster screening of aid deliveries.

"There is strong commitment on all sides to ensuring peace and security in our shared neighbourhood.”

She also held several bilateral meetings, including with Tobias Lindner, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, Tor Wennesland, UN special co-ordinator for the Middle East peace process, and Robert Oliphant, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs at the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She was accompanied by Mohamed Al Sahlawi, ambassador of the UAE to Belgium, the EU and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Abdulrahman Al Neyadi, director of the European Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

While you're here
Inside Palestine-Israel
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

While you're here
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Updated: May 30, 2024, 7:10 AM
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