OTTAWA // Canada and the United Arab Emirates have begun negotiations for a nuclear co-operation agreement, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has announced, in a sign that their relationship is warming up after a diplomatic spat over additional landing rights for the UAE's air carriers.
Baird, who made the announcement after a meeting with visiting UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Zayed Al Nahyan, acknowledged the two countries have had "some challenging times" but said the relationship has improved over the past nine months.
"We enjoy warm relations with the UAE. They are better than they've been and they're certainly going in the right trajectory, in the right direction, which we are very, very pleased with," he said at a joint news conference with Sheikh Abdullah. He also said the two countries have agreed to form a Canada-UAE business council.
Talks to expand aviation links between the two countries failed in 2010, and the UAE shortly thereafter forced Canada to vacate its military base in the country. The UAE has sought more landing rights for its carriers, which Air Canada had opposed.
Asked if the UAE is still keen to have more landing rights, Sheikh Abdullah said his country is "very interested" in diversifying ties with Canada and "definitely I think having more trade between the UAE and Canada and using the UAE as a hub" will benefit both countries.
He said he wished for the nuclear co-operation agreement to be concluded "very soon" and hopes for Canada to be a main supplier for the four nuclear reactors that the UAE is building.
Baird said he also discussed the situation in Syria with Sheikh Abdullah, and announced that Canada has suspended operations at its embassy in Damascus with immediate effect, hours after imposing additional sanctions against the country.
"We'll continue to work with our allies and to work with the international community to bring pressure to bear on the Assad regime and those backing him and give the people of Syria the opportunity to build a better and brighter future for themselves and their families," he said.
He also said Canada remains "deeply, deeply concerned" about Iran's nuclear intentions.
"We're concerned that the level of enrichment in Iran and the fact that it's putting together all the pieces, should it decide to enter into a nuclear weapon program. That's a concern that Canada has," he said.
Sheikh Abdullah said Middle Eastern and other countries should be transparent about their nuclear ambitions.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Racecard
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
'Falling%20for%20Christmas'
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Company%20profile
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The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
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Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
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Company%20Profile
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Company%20Profile
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