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Europe waives Schengen visa for UAE citizens

The country welcomed the overwhelming support of the European Parliament (EP) on Thursday allowing visa-free travel for UAE citizens to 27 countries in the Schengen area.

Emiratis will soon be exempt from visa requirements when visiting the EU member states for business or tourism for a period of 90 days.

Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said this was in recognition of the UAE rising status among nations and was due to the blessings of the late President, Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It also had strong backing from the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In an interview to Abu Dhabi TV, he said Emiratis had made their mark in Europe and their good conduct was worthy of emulation.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash lauded the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the successful vote.

‘‘This historic vote is the result of two years of organised and relentless work which was diligently led by Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, who followed all its stages from the beginning,’’ he said.

The massive vote in favour of the visa waiver had 523 of the 577 European Members of Parliament (MEPs) backing the motion at a plenary session in Strasbourg. The EU parliamentary nod is crucial to setting up a mechanism on implementing the visa-free structure for UAE nationals.

Procedural arrangements will start with the setting up of a joint working team of the UAE and EU, who will implement the decision ‘‘as soon as possible’’.

‘‘I am pleased that once the necessary procedures are completed, nationals from 16 small island nations in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, the United Arab Emirates, Peru and Colombia will be able to come to the Schengen area without a visa — be it for business, touristic or family visit purposes. This will open up opportunities and advantages also for EU citizens, as any existing visa requirement for EU citizens to travel to these countries will be eliminated,’’ said European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström, in a statement.

“The European Parliament’s decision to exempt Emirati nationals from Schengen visa requirement will enable increased visitor traffic from the UAE to the region. For hundreds of Emiratis travelling to the Schengen area for business, tourist, medical treatment purpose, the visa waiver comes as a big relief,” said Ahmed Salem, a bank employee.

Strategic political and economic relations between the EU and the UAE are strong, with trade and investment between the two worth 50 billion Euros.

More than 160,000 EU citizens live in the UAE and 1.64 million European visit the country annually, according to 2012 figures. Airlines operate 508 weekly flights between the UAE and Europe.

Earlier this month, the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament ratified the agreement between the Parliament and the Greek Presidency of the European Union, to amend regulations to exempt UAE citizens from obtaining a visa for 90 days.

— allan@khaleejtimes.com