Foreign Minister Westerwelle held a telephone conference with the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, today (21 February).

In the conversation, Foreign Minister Westerwelle informed his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates that Germany had taken its initiative to see Schengen visa requirements for the United Arab Emirates removed to the European Commission.

Foreign Minister Westerwelle and Interior Minister Friedrich had earlier written to the responsible EU Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, to this effect.

Behind Germany’s initiative is the opinion of the German Government that in recent years the United Arab Emirates have become an important partner not only for Germany but for the entire European Union.

This is true not only concerning the development of economic and trade relations, but also concerning political and security policy cooperation.