Vote is reflection of good reputation enjoyed by UAE and achievements on regional and global levels: Gargash
The European Parliament (EP) voted on Thursday to allow visa-free travel for UAE citizens to countries in the Schengen Area in Europe.
This came during a meeting held on Thursday in Strasbourg with a majority vote of 523 out of 577 EU representatives. The EU's endorsement of the visa waiver status for UAE citizens traveling to Schengen Area is deemed as crucial stage which will be followed by setting up of a mechanism to implement the decision.
The procedural arrangements to put the decision in to effect will start by setting up of a joint working team of the UAE and EU, who will implement the decision as soon as possible.
The team will intensifying its efforts to speed up the procedure of the implementation of decision as a prelude to the final announcement to allow UAE citizens visa free travel to Schengen Area.
Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs from Strasbourg congratulated the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for this great achievement saying that this historic vote is the result of two years of organised and relentless work which was diligently led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, who followed all its stages from the beginning.
Thursday's vote is a reflection of the good reputation enjoyed by the UAE and its achievements on the regional and global levels, Gargash stated and added that the UAE will be the first Arab country which got visa waiver for Schengen countries.
He remarked that concrete achievement of the citizens will make it easier for them to travel freely and move in 27 European countries in implementation to the UAE approach that put Emirati citizens as a priority for its efforts and activities.
He added that what has been achieved today came through comprehensive and collective efforts led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions abroad in addition to the country's concerned institutions, particularly the Ministry of Interior.
He concluded by hailing the important role played by Sulaiman Hamed Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to Belgium and embassy staff there.
The decision affirms UAE's strong and strategic political and economic relations with EU, where the trade and investment between the parties have exceeded to 50 billion Euros.
The number of return flights between the UAE and Europe have reached 508 weekly and there are more than 160,000 EU citizens living in the UAE, in addition to over 1.64 million visitors who come to the UAE annually according to 2012 figures.
Meanwhile, Mariya Gabriel, European Parliament MP, has expressed her pleasure about the ratification of European Parliament to exempt Emiratis from Schengen visa to enter EU countries.
Gabriel said the ball is now in the court of the UAE and EU technicians to iron out the details to implement the decision at the earliest.
She told Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the decision would be implemented soon, especially that the UAE has provided all the necessary technical support.
The European Parliament has voted by majority to exempt Emirati nationals from the requirement of a Schengen visa during a vote session held today at Strasbourg. According to early news reports, 523 votes support the Schengen visa waiver out of 577 EU representatives
Gabriel said the ball is now in the court of the UAE and EU technicians to iron out the details to implement the decision at the earliest.
She told Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the decision would be implemented soon, especially that the UAE has provided all the necessary technical support.
The European Parliament has voted by majority to exempt Emirati nationals from the requirement of a Schengen visa during a vote session held today at Strasbourg. According to early news reports, 523 votes support the Schengen visa waiver out of 577 EU representatives
Schengen visa still needed: German Embassy
Despite the European Parliament voting late last month to allow visa-free travel for UAE citizens to countries in the Schengen Area in Europe, the visa requirements remain in place until such time as the procedural arrangements to put the decision into effect are executed.
This is being reiterated by the German Embassy as there seems to be confusion amidst some media reports suggesting that the Schengen Visa waiver for UAE Nationals is already in place.
In a prominent notice on its website, the German Embassy is alerting users that Schengen Visa remains mandatory for UAE nationals in 2014. “The German Embassy wishes to inform that contrary to some recent publication in local media, UAE nationals are still required to apply for a visa before travelling to Schengen countries including Germany,” the notice reads.
“Without a valid visa you are – not – allowed to enter the Schengen countries,” the notice reiterates and adds that an application for a Schengen visa may be filed up to three months prior to the intended journey. The German Consulate in Dubai reiterates the same message on its website.
The European Parliament had voted on February 27 to allow visa-free travel for UAE citizens to 27 European countries in the Schengen Area in Europe.
A meeting held in Strasbourg in France saw a majority 523 out of 577 EU representatives voting in favour of allowing UAE citizens to travel visa-free to Schengen countries.
The EU’s endorsement of the visa waiver status for UAE citizens traveling to Schengen Area is deemed as crucial stage which will be followed by setting up of a mechanism to implement the decision.
It was then announced that procedural arrangements to put the decision in to effect will start by setting up of a joint working team of the UAE and EU, who will implement the decision as soon as possible.
Earlier this month, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the passing of a new ruling exempting citizens from 13 European member states from requiring a pre-entry visa. Nationals of these 13 EU member states were earlier required pre-entry visas to visit the UAE.
The UAE decision took effect from March 22, 2014, and a statement added that all the necessary measures have been taken to implement the decision at all UAE points of entry.
Although related, it is perhaps this decision that is being confused by certain media outlets with the commencement of visa-free travel by UAE nationals to Schengen countries.
The operational arrangements for UAE Nationals’ visa-free travel to the Schengen area are still underway and no date has been announced so far.
Nevertheless, last month’s vote to eventually allow visa-free travel for UAE Nationals to the Schengen area is a reflection of the good reputation enjoyed by the UAE and its achievements on the regional and global levels.
The decision affirms the UAE’s strong and strategic political and economic relations with EU, where the trade and investment between the parties have exceeded to €50 billion.
The number of return flights between the UAE and Europe has reached 508 per week, and there are more than 160,000 EU citizens living in the UAE, in addition to over 1.64 million visitors who come to the UAE annually according to 2012 figures.
Mariya Gabriel, European Parliament MP, told Emirates News Agency (WAM) last month that the decision would be implemented soon, especially that the UAE has provided all the necessary technical support.
This is being reiterated by the German Embassy as there seems to be confusion amidst some media reports suggesting that the Schengen Visa waiver for UAE Nationals is already in place.
In a prominent notice on its website, the German Embassy is alerting users that Schengen Visa remains mandatory for UAE nationals in 2014. “The German Embassy wishes to inform that contrary to some recent publication in local media, UAE nationals are still required to apply for a visa before travelling to Schengen countries including Germany,” the notice reads.
“Without a valid visa you are – not – allowed to enter the Schengen countries,” the notice reiterates and adds that an application for a Schengen visa may be filed up to three months prior to the intended journey. The German Consulate in Dubai reiterates the same message on its website.
The European Parliament had voted on February 27 to allow visa-free travel for UAE citizens to 27 European countries in the Schengen Area in Europe.
A meeting held in Strasbourg in France saw a majority 523 out of 577 EU representatives voting in favour of allowing UAE citizens to travel visa-free to Schengen countries.
The EU’s endorsement of the visa waiver status for UAE citizens traveling to Schengen Area is deemed as crucial stage which will be followed by setting up of a mechanism to implement the decision.
It was then announced that procedural arrangements to put the decision in to effect will start by setting up of a joint working team of the UAE and EU, who will implement the decision as soon as possible.
Earlier this month, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the passing of a new ruling exempting citizens from 13 European member states from requiring a pre-entry visa. Nationals of these 13 EU member states were earlier required pre-entry visas to visit the UAE.
The UAE decision took effect from March 22, 2014, and a statement added that all the necessary measures have been taken to implement the decision at all UAE points of entry.
Although related, it is perhaps this decision that is being confused by certain media outlets with the commencement of visa-free travel by UAE nationals to Schengen countries.
The operational arrangements for UAE Nationals’ visa-free travel to the Schengen area are still underway and no date has been announced so far.
Nevertheless, last month’s vote to eventually allow visa-free travel for UAE Nationals to the Schengen area is a reflection of the good reputation enjoyed by the UAE and its achievements on the regional and global levels.
The decision affirms the UAE’s strong and strategic political and economic relations with EU, where the trade and investment between the parties have exceeded to €50 billion.
The number of return flights between the UAE and Europe has reached 508 per week, and there are more than 160,000 EU citizens living in the UAE, in addition to over 1.64 million visitors who come to the UAE annually according to 2012 figures.
Mariya Gabriel, European Parliament MP, told Emirates News Agency (WAM) last month that the decision would be implemented soon, especially that the UAE has provided all the necessary technical support.
MEP welcomes UAE visa exemption
Portuguese Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chairman of the European Union-UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mario David, has warmly welcomed the exemption of visas to the UAE for the 13 remaining European Union Member States which did not have the exemption with effect from yesterday.
The new exempted countries are Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Thus, effective March 22nd, 2014 onwards, all the 28 EU Member States citizens can travel to the UAE without any visa requirements.
The UAE decision came after approval by the European Parliament last February of the visa exemption for UAE citizens travelling to the EU Schengen Area.
Mario David, who is also EPP Vice President, congratulated the UAE authorities for this initiative, saying, "I hope we can enhance our cultural and economic ties, strengthening our mutual knowledge, understanding and respect. This is an historical milestone, as this is the first Arab country to have open borders for its citizens within the EU common area (Schengen)."
Portuguese Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chairman of the European Union-UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mario David, has warmly welcomed the exemption of visas to the UAE for the 13 remaining European Union Member States which did not have the exemption with effect from yesterday.
The new exempted countries are Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Thus, effective March 22nd, 2014 onwards, all the 28 EU Member States citizens can travel to the UAE without any visa requirements.
The UAE decision came after approval by the European Parliament last February of the visa exemption for UAE citizens travelling to the EU Schengen Area.
Mario David, who is also EPP Vice President, congratulated the UAE authorities for this initiative, saying, "I hope we can enhance our cultural and economic ties, strengthening our mutual knowledge, understanding and respect. This is an historical milestone, as this is the first Arab country to have open borders for its citizens within the EU common area (Schengen)."
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