A Federal National Council (FNC) delegation is in Spain this week, meeting with the country’s senate and parliament.
With the trip one of many the council has undertaken in the past four years, with little media coverage questions of their relevance often arise.
Yet for Ali Jassim of Umm Al Quwain, the FNC’s oldest member who was first appointed in 1993, the council’s overseas work has changed over time. After years of playing a non-active role in UAE delegations on overseas trips, the council’s contribution to such political meetings has been many and unquestionable for more than a decade, affecting the UAE’s politics directly. Those effects, however, often go unnoticed.
While Emiratis this summer can enjoy visa-free travel to many European countries, not many know that it was the FNC which helped to pave the way for this pivotal diplomatic success.
Over the past few years, council delegations have made trips to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Switzerland and to member states to appeal on behalf of the people. The UAE is part of the IPU.
Ali Al Nuaimi of Ajman, an FNC member who has visited the IPU, said the main goal of such trips was to represent the country, its people and to voice concerns in an international forum.
Many Emiratis had conveyed a desire for the same treatment Europeans enjoy when visiting the UAE, with hassle-free entry to Europe.
“The talks were particularly with Germany and France, and even Italy, as these countries are influential,” Mr Al Nuaimi said.
“While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy played a large part in this, the vote needed to go first through the European Parliament before the EU (European Union). It was the FNC which spoke with the European Parliament.”
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, noted this essential role publicly to the council last year after the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of visa-free travel for Emiratis.
FNC delegations, of which there are about five visiting different institutions, have also worked on resolutions, notably to strengthen economic relations between states and further improve relations with Europe and Latin America.
The delegations to the IPU is led by the first woman to be elected to the FNC, Dr Amal Al Qubaisi. This, members agree, makes a strong statement internationally.
Apart from using these visits to convey people’s concerns, members say it has also provides an opportunity to learn from parliamentary bodies and diplomats.
“The majority of FNC members do not have experience in parliamentary work,” Mr Al Nuaimi said. “These visits allow the exchange in expertise.
“Participation in these events gives us the opportunity to convey our ideas and discuss challenges facing us and the region.
“Our participation and interaction with parliaments abroad have been successful on all levels, even compared to other countries with much older parliaments.”
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