G 6/2
O Long Director-General
GATT
Villa La Fenetre Geneva
UNITED KINGDOM MISSION
37-39 RUE DE
1202
VERMONT
GENEVA
TELEPHONE 34 38 00
33 23 85
124
20 December 1972
Sir,
HONG KONG'S STATUS IN GATT
бес ник
14/4
1 On 1 January 1973 when the United Kingdom accodes to the Buropean Communities, the United Kingdom delegation in the GATT will conform to the current practice whereby a Community representative normally speaks for all member states, but it is not intended that this should alter the position in regard to Hong Kong.
2
1982
The juridical. position of Hong Kong in the CATT is not changed by the United Kingdom accession to the European Communities. The United Kingdom is the contracting party which has acceded to the GATT on behalf of Hong Kong, and must continue to be responsible for Hong Kong's GATT rights and obligations.
3
Given Hong Kong's importance in international trade, I think you may wish me to confirm that the United Kingdom's arrangements for the presentation of Hong Kong's position in discussione in the GATT will not be altered in any way from 1 January 1073. A member of my delegation, who will of course sit with the rest of his colleagues, will continue to speak for Hong Kong, prefacing any intervention with an indication that he is making it on behalf of Hong Kong.
A
As informal enquiries by other delegations have indicated that there may be some uncertainty among them as to Hong Kong's representation from 1 January 1973, I should be much obliged if you would circulate copies of this letter for the information of contracting parties.
Accept Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
A. C. Buxton
A C Buxton
Acting Permanent Reprosentative