Passport power raises UAE status paper
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI 7th April 2016 (WAM) -- A UAE newspaper has said that the UAE's passport has again been ranked the most powerful in the region this time by the global financial advisory firm Arton Capital.
"The UAE's passport ranks at the top of the most powerful in the GCC 27th in the world and 60th on the individual ranking; primarily boosted by its Schengen visa waiver obtained in 2015" said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Thursday.
The paper went on to say "It should be noted that the UAE is the first Arab country to enjoy visa free entry to countries of Schengen region where the UAE citizens holding diplomatic special as well as ordinary passports will be able to travel to 34 European countries for a period of six months each year. The time of stay however should not exceed 90 days per visit.
"The passport index compares passports from 199 countries including the 193 United Nations member countries as well as the Republic of China Kosovo Palestine and The Vatican.
"Incidentally the UAE passport now offers visa-free travel to 121 countries compared to 72 countries last year.
"Known for its innovative approach the UAE turned out to be the first in the Arab world to issue emergency passports with global security standards which are compatible with the requirements and recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
"Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mohammed Mir Abdullah Al Raisi explained recently such a passport is issued by the UAE's missions abroad for those citizens who have lost their original passports outside the country and for those who lost their identity cards in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
"The emergency passport is also issued in place of damaged expired passports and in evictions situation during crisis and emergencies and in case of births outside of the country from an Emirati woman or foreign one or as per the decision of the committee on the returning sons of the UAE citizens living abroad with their non-Emirati mothers.
"Pragmatism and visionary leadership have helped the UAE retain its status as a peaceful powerful and prosperous country. Surveys have also repeatedly indicated that the region's youth look at the UAE as an oasis of peace and a perfect place for progress.
The Abu Dhabi-based daily concluded by saying "No wonder countries around the world welcome Emiratis as highly honourable and respectable guests."
WAM/Esraa