FNC presses for on-arrival foreign visas for Emiratis

Dubai: A member of the Federal National Council is to demand that Emiratis be granted equal treatment by the 34 countries whose citizens are granted a visa on arrival.

Marwan Ahmad Bin Galitha, a member from Dubai, will put a question to Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, on Tuesday, on the outcome of the effort to exempt UAE citizens from visa requirements by these countries.

Emiratis facing delays in obtaining a Schengen and other visas are demanding that the UAE government stop granting visas on arrival to citizens of countries that fail to apply equal treatment to UAE citizens.

Shaikh Abdullah told a news conference on Sunday the free visa status with Schengen countries took time. “The UAE has been negotiating this issue with countries concerned for years now,” Shaikh Abdullah said.

In February, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Bin Butti Al Hamed, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the UAE was making intensive diplomatic efforts with the European Union to exempt Emiratis from the Schengen visa.

“The UAE wishes to express its appreciation over the fact that its request to be included among the countries whose citizens do not require a visa to travel to the Schengen area is currently under serious consideration by the European Union,” he said.

Al Hamed said the main arguments that underpin the UAE’s request are: Visa-free access will further facilitate a trade relationship between the UAE and the Schengen area that currently stands at more than $40 billion (Dh146.9 billion) — more than $60 billion for the whole European Union); exempting the UAE would send a positive signal for greater cultural openness towards the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Al Hamed said that exemption fom the visa would facilitate the travel of citizens of the state to Schengen. “It will mutually benefit all parties and will strengthen relations of cooperation and friendship in various fields between the UAE and the Schengen countries.”

The Foreign Minister will answer another question on the breach of international laws by certain embassies when they set minimum wages for housemaids.

Rashid Al Shuraiqi, a member from Ras Al Khaimah, will ask Suhail Mohammad Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy, about the national strategy on the supply of electricity and water.

Ali Eisa Al Nuaimi, a member from Ajman, will put a question to Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Minister of Labour, on its effort to deport illegal workers. Al Nuaimi will put another question to the National Media Council on the regulation of classifieds. The House will also debate the National Media Council’s policy on media legislation.