ABU DHABI 21 July 2017: The UAE and the Republic of Mali have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to exempt UAE nationals carrying diplomatic, private, VIP and regular passports and nationals of Mali carrying diplomatic passports from obtaining pre-entry visas while travelling to each other’s’ countries.
The MoU was signed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and African Integration of Mali, said Wam.
Sheikh Abdullah and Minister Diop highlighted the friendly relations and joint co-operation between the UAE and Mali, as well as the means of strengthening their relations in all areas.
During the meeting, which took place at the ministry’s premises in Abu Dhabi, both sides discussed several regional and international issues of common interest while exchanging their points of view on the current regional situation.
Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the UAE’s desire to improve its relations with friendly African countries, and its efforts to open wider horizons of co-operation in areas that serve its efforts of construction and development.
Visa waiver for UAE nationals travelling to Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
UAE citizens no longer need to apply for pre-entry visa requirements when travelling to the Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has revealed the decision is effective July 6th.
Ahmed Saeed Elham Al Dhaheri, Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Consular Affairs, stressed that the memo received by the ministry from its counterpart in the Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, confirmed that the exemption will take effect from 6th July, 2017, and UAE nationals can stay in Sao Tome and Principe for up to 15 days.
Al Dhaheri stated that the initiative of the Republic of Sao Tome and Principe reflects the UAE’s prominent international position, and the growing development of bilateral ties between both countries, which will open new prospects for UAE nationals in terms of tourism, investment and commerce.
He added that this exemption will add to the list of the UAE’s diplomatic achievements recently and translates the success achieved in promoting the UAE passport strength, lifting the UAE influence worldwide as part of the “UAE Passport Force” initiative aimed at placing the State’s passport on the list of the five most important passports in the world by 2021 upon the directives of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The Republic of Sao Tome and Principe is an African country that consists of two islands in the Gulf of Guinea, about 240 kms from the West African coast.
By Rajive Singh