Abu Dhabi: The European Parliament has voted by majority to exempt Emirati nationals from the requirement of a Schengen visa.
The vote was held during a session held today at Strasbourg.
According to early news reports, 523 votes were cast by 577 EU representatives.
The decision means Emiratis will no longer require a visa for short stays (up to 90 days) in the Schengen area, whether for business, tourist or family visit purposes.
And, by no longer imposing strict travel restrictions upon Emiratis, conducting recreational and business affairs between countries should be a much less cumbersome process.
The UAE was voted on the Schengen visa-free list by EU’s Security and Policy Committee earlier this month before final approval by the European Parliament today.
On February 6, Sulaiman Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to the European Union, said the a vote to exempt Emirati nationals was the result of relentless efforts made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the directives of Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister.
Al Mazroui said earlier this month that the UAE was added to a list of 15 countries whose citizens will receive the visa-waiver.
Acording to a WAM report in early February, a final vote to exempt would make UAE the first Arab country, second in the Middle East and third among Islamic countries whose citizens receive the visa waiver.
