Formin asks UAE colleague about possibility of visa-free travel

Photo: ReisiGuru

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet spoke on the sidelines of a meeting in Bahrain with the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Mohammed Gargash, about the possibility of Estonian citizens getting a visa for the United Arab Emirates at the border and eventual visa-free travel.

«Lifting the visa requirement for Estonian citizens would expand mutually beneficial contacts in the field of both tourism and culture, as well as opportunities for economic cooperation,» Paet stated.

According to Gargash, the UAE takes a positive view of such a possibility.

With regard to strengthening Estonia-UAE cooperation, Paet observed that bilateral relations have intensified lately. «An indication of this, for instance, is Estonian companies' growing interest in the UAE as a top business hub of the Persian Gulf region,» he said.

The foreign minister added that the agreements on the avoidance of double taxation and protection of investments which entered into force in 2012 help advance the development of economic ties. «Business contacts in turn would be helped along by a high-level visit to Estonia from the UAE together with a business delegation,» he said.