UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed meets Greek Prime Minister and House Speaker
Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan touches upon Schengen Area access for UAE nationals
Athens: On his official visit to Greece, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, called on the governments of the European Union to grant UAE citizens a 30-day visa upon their arrival in the EU. He said the people of Greece, along with most Europeans, are granted free 30-day visas on their arrival in the UAE and the Emirates look forward to see these government offering Emiratis similar treatment.
“The UAE is asking that its citizens be granted similar access to the countries of the Schengen area, in recognition of the excellent relations between the UAE and Europe, and of the significant economic contribution of Emirati activities on the continent,” he said.
Too often, Emiratis are stopped at European borders and turned away because of unclear, complex and restrictive visa regulations.
In the coming weeks, the European Union is expected to make an important decision on the expansion of the list of countries that are granted visa-free access to the Schengen area.
Given the clear mutual benefits of this move, the UAE is counting on the support of its friends.
Shaikh Abdullah met with Antonis Samaras, Greece’s Prime Minister, in Athens on Wednesday.
He conveyed the greetings of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to the Greek Prime Minister and their best wishes to the people of Greece for their development and prosperity.
The two officials discussed cooperation and ways to promote relations between the UAE and Greece.
Shaikh Abdullah also met Vangelis Meimarakis, the President of the Hellenic Parliament.
Shaikh Abdullah and Meimarakis discussed the best ways to enhance political, economic and parliamentary relations.
Shaikh Abdullah pointed out that the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established way back in 1975, witnessing a steady stable growth in mutual relations in all aspects, including trade and investment.
He added that the relations between the two countries have grown over the years especially after the visit of the president of Greece in 2010, when an MoU on politics, tourism civil aviation, the avoidance of double taxation and financial markets was signed.
Shaikh Abdullah also said that he is confidant that the coming years will witness additional cooperation between the two friendly countries and this must be encouraged through easing movement between the UAE and Greece.
In a statement to the Austrian newspaper Kurier, Shaikh Abdullah said, “Austria is a friend of the United Arab Emirates. Although this might not immediately be evident to everyone, figures underpinning the bilateral relationship between the UAE and Austria speak volumes.”
He added that in his discussions with Dr Michael Spindelegger, Foreign Minister, on Tuesday, they touched upon the most important aspect of mutual friendship which is enhancing the ease of movement between the UAE and Austria. He pointed out that Austrians, and most Europeans, are granted free 30-day visas upon arrival in the UAE.
The UAE is asking that its citizens be granted similar access to the countries of the Schengen area, in recognition of the excellent relations between the UAE and Europe.
