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Abu Dhabi: The Federal National Council (FNC) demanded on Tuesday that Emiratis receive the same treatment that American citizens get at UAE ports.
Mohammad Abdullah Ali Al Za'abi, a member from Sharjah, questioned the Foreign Ministry over the improper treatment received by Emiratis who travel to the US.
"Emiratis are interrogated, searched and denied the right to communicate with UAE embassy officials at US ports despite the fact that they hold a legal visa.
"Is that the reciprocal treatment we Emiratis deserve while the UAE is among the largest trade partners to the US and a strategic partner in the American war on terror," Al Zaabi told the FNC.
Al Zaabi said that the UAE, more over, had a great role in the war against terror, dismantling the hawala system and blocking all roads in the face of dubious transactions.
"After all this and on the heels of nine official visits by UAE officials to the US and 23 visits by their American counterparts to the UAE, Emiratis are still receiving this treatment. I ask is that the reciprocal treatment we deserve?
"In return we expect the same treatment from those countries. We had earlier spoken to them about the necessity to facilitate the entry of UAE nationals but we have not received a suitable response," he said.
Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said that the Foreign Ministry is working on getting reciprocal treatment from 34 countries, including the US whose subjects get visas on arrival at the UAE ports.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been asked by the Cabinet to review its reciprocal visa procedures policy in view of the decision granting subjects of 34 countries visas on arrival at UAE ports. This decision has been in force since 2001."
Admitting some Emiratis face difficulties in obtaining visas or receive inappropriate treatment at their destination ports, Dr Gargash said the UAE is determined to get reciprocal visa treatment with these countries.
"We have not reached a 100 per cent success in this regard, but we are working to reach this ideal situation."
He said that 5,600 Emiratis, including 650 students obtained entry visas to the US last year, compared to 4,600 in 2006.
"Out of 650 Emirati students who obtained entry visas to the US last year only eight students were denied the right to enter America due to a lack of documents," he said, noting that complaints from Emiratis over the treatment they receive from US officials are decreasing.
Dr Gargash stressed the country's approach to citizens of the 34 countries, which include all members of the European Union and the United States, is meant to offer flexible treatment to as many as possible of visitors "but this will not be at the expense of UAE citizens."
UAE: Ease of entry
Visa on arrival for 34 nationalities:
- Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Brunei
- United Kingdom, France, Liechtenstein, Germany, Holland
- Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway
- Denmark, Paraguay, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco
- Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Italy, Canada, USA, Australia,
- New Zealand and Portugal
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