Brasilia: Emirati holders of diplomatic, special, official and service passports will be exempted from visa requirements to enter Brazil, according to an agreement signed on between the UAE and Brazil.
The visa waiver agreement was signed during a visit by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to Brazil where he met Aloysio Nunes, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Relations, on Thursday to discuss ways of enhancing bilateral relations.
During the visit, three accords on air transport services and reciprocal exemption of entry visa requirements were signed.
The talks focussed on advancing the UAE-Brazil relations in economic, investment, trade, tourism and renewable energy sectors.
Both also exchanged views on issues of common interest in light of regional and international developments, in Yemen, Syria, Libya and Iraq in particular.
Relations between the UAE and Brazil are strong and there is continued interest in advancing them in all spheres, Shaikh Abdullah stressed.
Growing co-operation
"The UAE and Brazil have signed two important two agreements, one on air transport services and another on reciprocal visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on reciprocal visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, official and service passports. This indicates growing and prosperous co-operation between the two countries," he said.
Shaikh Abdullah thanked his Brazilian counterpart for the warm welcome and wished him success in his new assignment.
UAE Ambassador to Brazil Hafsa Abdulla Al Ulama attended the meeting.
"This is my fifth visit to Brazil. On each visit, I bring more hope, ambitions and confidence to promote and bolster these relations," said Shaikh Abdullah at a joint press conference.
Describing the UAE's partnership with Brazil as successful and deep-rooted, Shaikh Abdullah said relations between the two countries were formally established in 1974 and have been growing at a notable rate in various sectors.
With more than US$2.5 billion in non-oil trade between the UAE and Brazil in 2016, the UAE believes that there are more opportunities for expanding co-operation in various sectors, he noted.
Flights
Emirates Airlines operates 21 weekly flights between the UAE and Brazil, seen as a vital market in this region, he added.
The signing of the two agreements, he stressed, will help promote tourism and trade between the two countries by enabling citizens to travel easily for business and improve communication between their people.
"Without a doubt, there is great hope between our two countries, but there are also some difficulties and challenges facing our two regions. I was glad to hold a meeting with my colleague the Brazilian foreign minister to discuss some of these challenges such as terrorism and extremism in addition to the prospects of our joint action in this regard."
Brazilian Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes thanked Shaikh Abdullah for the "visit which will help strengthen relations between our two countries now and in the future."
He noted that he was delighted that Shaikh Abdullah will inaugurate the UAE Consulate in Sao Paulo on 21st March.
