The hope was to exempt GCC citizens from the Schengen visa, but the decision to unify the procedures of the European Union countries by granting a 5-year visa from the first time is a positive step, as the duration of the visas varied between European embassies and often did not meet the needs of the Gulf Arabs, who mostly used them for the purpose of tourism!
What may facilitate the matter more is facilitating the procedures for obtaining a Schengen visa to be electronic instead of the suffering of applying at the visa centers of the embassies, especially for those who have previously applied and fingerprinted, and the embassies own their data, just as Britain did, which facilitated obtaining its tourist visas within a few minutes via a special website on Internet!
Gulf citizens benefit from the facilities, but European countries also benefit, as they are well aware that encouraging Gulf citizens to visit their countries benefits their economy and stimulates tourism activity, especially since Gulf tourists often spend more than any other tourist from the world by staying in highly rated hotels. Dine at upscale restaurants and shop at name brand stores!
Therefore, it is a relationship of common interest and mutual benefit, and the hope is that the Secretariat of the Cooperation Council will continue its pressure to obtain more facilities, such as obtaining a visa electronically, pending the resolution of the request for a complete visa exemption, as the current Secretary of the Cooperation Council, Jassem Al-Budaiwi, is credited with having moved the stagnant waters on this issue, which has remained for many years. At a standstill!
