DUBAI // Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the Minister of Development, chaired a roundtable discussions between UAE and European Parliament in Brussels and praised the strengthening of relations between the two.
Sheikha Lubna re-affirmed that the foreign policy of the UAE is firmly based on the solid and clear principles of mutual respect, promotion of cooperation and peaceful solutions to conflicts and issues as well as contribution to the achievement of international peace and security.
The meeting on Wednesday sought to discuss issues of partnership and economic cooperation.
“The strategic importance of relations between the EU and the UAE cannot be doubted and is reflected in our common values and shared perspective,” Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid said in her speech to the EU Parliament, Kuwait news agency reported.
“While exports of oil and gas from the UAE to the EU countries have long represented a shared interest for our two sides, our bilateral ties extend far beyond these commodities. The EU market is the largest beneficiary of regular financial flows from the UAE in form of foreign direct investments, bank deposits, and capital shares in major European share markets.”
The meeting comes on the eve of an expected vote by a European Parliament committee to lift visa restrictions on UAE travellers to Europe. If successful, the bill will go before the full parliament next year.
Amal Al Qubaisi, First Deputy Speaker of Federal National Council, also spoke at the meeting over shared ground between the EU and UAE on the issue of human rights.
“There are no differences between the UAE and the European Union over human rights and the rights of individuals to peaceful and dignified life,” she said, according to the state news agency Wam.
“These are the principles which should drive our cooperation especially when it comes to the Arab Spring countries, as we should first bring peace and stability to those countries before speaking about democratic transition.”
mcroucher@thenational.ae
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'
Bournemouth 1
Wilson 44'
Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
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
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.