‘Mutual recognition of licenses will make it much easier for the Israeli tourist, will save bureaucracy and is further evidence of the warm relationship between the countries,’ says Israeli foreign minister.
By Pesach Benson, TPS
An agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to mutually recognize each other’s drivers licenses has gone into effect, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday.
Before the agreement, tourists and long-term residents from each other’s countries required an international driver’s license or a license from another country recognized by Israel or the UAE.
According to Transportation Minister Miri Regev, more than 100,000 Israelis are expected to visit the Emirates during the upcoming Passover holiday. The week-long holiday begins on the evening of April 5, and the UAE has been advertising kosher travel packages.
“The United Arab Emirates is among the five favorite destinations of the Israeli tourist,” said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. “Especially in the run-up to Passover, this move of mutual recognition of licenses will make it much easier for the Israeli tourist, will save bureaucracy and is further evidence of the warm relationship between the countries.”
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a long-awaited Israel-UAE free trade agreement going into effect on April 1.