Egyptian President Abdel Fateh El Sisi made his first visit to Athens since Egypt and Greece agreed a deal over maritime boundaries in August. Reuters
Egyptian President Abdel Fateh El Sisi made his first visit to Athens since Egypt and Greece agreed a deal over maritime boundaries in August. Reuters
Egyptian President Abdel Fateh El Sisi made his first visit to Athens since Egypt and Greece agreed a deal over maritime boundaries in August. Reuters
Egyptian President Abdel Fateh El Sisi made his first visit to Athens since Egypt and Greece agreed a deal over maritime boundaries in August. Reuters

Europe

Greece and Egypt seek more decisive role from Biden in Turkey dispute

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi would like active US engagement

Jamie Prentis
Jamie Prentis
London

November 11, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Greece and Egypt would welcome more active engagement in the eastern Mediterranean from the administration of president-elect Joe Biden, the Greek prime minister said on Wednesday, as a dispute between Turkey and regional powers over maritime boundaries rumbles on.

“Greece and Egypt will receive positively a more decisive role of the United States in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean," Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in Athens alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

  • Greek warships take part in military exercises in Eastern Mediterranean sea, as tensions rise with Turkey over the waters. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
    Greek warships take part in military exercises in Eastern Mediterranean sea, as tensions rise with Turkey over the waters. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
  • The Greek air force joined the exercises. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
    The Greek air force joined the exercises. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
  • The Tonnerre is escorted by Greek and French military vessels. Greek National Defence/AP)
    The Tonnerre is escorted by Greek and French military vessels. Greek National Defence/AP)
  • The French Tonnerre helicopter carrier, rear left, is escorted by Greek and French military vessels during a maritime exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are also closely shadowing each other. (Greek National Defence/AP)
    The French Tonnerre helicopter carrier, rear left, is escorted by Greek and French military vessels during a maritime exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are also closely shadowing each other. (Greek National Defence/AP)
  • The Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
    The Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
  • Tension are high between Greece and Turkey, over the 'Oruc-Reis' and its mission in the eastern Mediterranean. IHA via AP
    Tension are high between Greece and Turkey, over the 'Oruc-Reis' and its mission in the eastern Mediterranean. IHA via AP
  • Turkey’s claims to the waters, which it says are on its continental shelf, have repeatedly been dismissed as illegal by Greece and its allies. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
    Turkey’s claims to the waters, which it says are on its continental shelf, have repeatedly been dismissed as illegal by Greece and its allies. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
  • Turkish ships accompany the 'Oruc Reis,' a seismic research vessel. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
    Turkish ships accompany the 'Oruc Reis,' a seismic research vessel. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece. AFP
    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece. AFP
  • Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of the potential for a mishap with Greek and Turkish navies both in the area.. EPA
    Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of the potential for a mishap with Greek and Turkish navies both in the area.. EPA
  • France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters
    France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters

Greece is at odds with Turkey as a result of overlapping territorial claims in the Mediterranean, with tensions heightened after Ankara sent a seismic research vessel into disputed waters.

"We agreed to continue our solidarity, alongside all friendly countries, in order to confront anyone who threatens regional stability and security, and in a way that prevents any party from imposing its hostile positions," Mr El Sisi said.

On Wednesday, the Greek foreign ministry condemned Turkey's decision to extend the work of the research vessel the Oruc Reiss in a contested area until November 23.

It accused Ankara of undermining peace and stability in the region.

"In other words, it is proclaiming the fact that it will continue to ignore the appeals of the international community and the European Council for avoidance of such illegal actions and compliance with international legality," the ministry said.

"Greece reiterates its condemnation of this provocative conduct, which further undermines any prospect of a constructive dialogue, and calls on Turkey to immediately retract its illegal Navtex."

Athens has been backed by the EU in the dispute and has sealed a deal with Cairo for the partial demarcation of maritime boundaries to give access to natural resources in the Mediterranean, a move that has angered Turkey.

There were fears of a military confrontation in the summer when Greece and Turkey sent warships to the region.

Mr El Sisi is visiting Athens for the first time since the Greece-Egypt deal was signed in August.

Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:

  • Former first lady Hillary Clinton
  • Former US president Barack Obama
  • Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
  • Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
  • Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
  • California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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.

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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. 

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

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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.

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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

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