ABU DHABI // The Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, has urged Austria to withdraw its opposition to visa-free access for UAE citizens to European Schengen countries.
"The most important aspect of mutual friendship is enhancing the ease of movement between our two countries," Sheikh Abdullah said on a visit to Vienna, where he raised the issue with the Austrian foreign minister Dr Michael Spindelegger.
"Too often, Emirati citizens are stopped at European borders and turned away because of unclear, complex, and restrictive visa regulations. Austrian citizens, along with 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, and of the significant economic contribution of Emirati activities on the continent."
Austria was one of four European countries opposed to a visa waiver for Emiratis proposed last year, along with Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Since then, Germany and the Netherlands have reversed their stance.
When all 27 member states agree, the European Commission will present the proposal to the European Council.
"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, including Austria, to become part of this list," Sheikh Abdullah said.
He said the UAE was proud to call itself a friend of Austria and a friend of Europe, and was happy to continue to contribute to this friendship and to continue investing and spending in Europe.
"In return, the UAE expects to be treated as a friend, including upon arrival at Europe's borders," he said.
Sheikh Abdullah also discussed ways to expand economic relations between the two countries, and regional and global issues relating to the security of the Middle East and Europe.
"In the past, we have successfully cooperated in the Balkans to ensure stability between countries and work towards peace and security for the affected populations," he said.
"We both share deep concerns about the current situation in Syria, where the civil war is now in its third year and levels of suffering remain shocking."
He said both Austria and the UAE supported concerted international efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Sheikh Abdullah also discussed issues of parliamentary, economic and investment cooperation with the president of Austria's federal council, the upper house of parliament, Edgar Meyer.
He emphasised the importance of exchanging parliamentary visits aimed at promoting cooperation, exchanging expertise in education and health care, and building bridges between the two peoples.
During the visit the new UAE Embassy in Vienna was inaugurated. The five-storey building that houses the Embassy, the Consulate and the offices of the UAE Permanent Mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency was built at a cost of Dh33.25 million.
Sheikh Abdullah urged the staff of the Embassy to provide all possible assistance and services to Emiratis, including facilities for business people and hospital patients, and to promote the UAE's image.
"The new offices provide ample space for UAE diplomatic representation in Vienna, including the Permanent Mission to the IAEA and the Embassy," said Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's permanent representative to the IAEA.
Sheikh Abdullah said business was an important driver of the close relationship between the UAE and Austria.
"Thirty six Austrian companies operate directly in the UAE and 336 Austrian companies are represented there by an agent. Moreover, the UAE is home to close to 1,800 Austrians who live and work there," he said.
Last year, more 10,000 UAE nationals visited Austria for tourism, business and health care, he said, and the UAE and Austria exchanged about 460 million euros in trade.
Sheikh Abdullah left Vienna to fly to Greece, where he met the Greek president Karolos Papoulias.
amustafa@thenational.ae
* Additional reporting by Wam
- This article has been updated to reflect a correction. The UAE embassy in Vienna was built at a cost of Dh33.25 million, not Dh418 million.
