WAM Abu Dhabi, Mar 17th, 2013 (WAM) -- Greece has repeatedly and strongly supported and championed for exempting the UAE nationals from the need to obtain a Schengen Visa, the embassy of Greece said in a statement today.

"Greece is committed to continue playing a protagonistic role in this matter, until a positive outcome is reached and a Schengen visa-free regime for UAE citizens is in place," it added.

In this regard, the Foreign Minister of Greece Dimitris Avramopoulos sent a letter to the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Mrs Cecilia Malmstrom requesting that the United Arab Emirates be included to the group of third countries that are going to be transferred to the Annex II of the relevant EC Regulation, listing third countries whose citizens do not require a visa in order to travel to the Schengen Area.

In his letter, the Greek Foreign Minister, recalling that Greece submitted an official proposal for the aforementioned transfer since May 2011, expresses Greece's conviction that such a decision would be a great advantage for all Schengen Member-States, as well as for the UAE.

HD WAM/ES/AM