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1.
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CODE 18-77
RESTRICTED
Reference...
to
Mr Merry, MVD
Hick 345
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
1 1 FEB 1980
HONG KONG: VISA WAIVER
DESK OFFICER PRINTMENTSA
HKK 345/2
19779
55
REGIST Action
Aw 12/2
P.A.
RIMR
7/2
Hong Kong telegram No 1385 of 8 October 1979 sought advice as to whether the arrangements by which certain European countries admit Hong Kong passport holders without visas are entirely informal or are provided for in bilateral agreements, either with Hong Kong or with the UK. Your predecessor,
Miss White, dealt with the enquiry and replied in FCO telegram No 824 of 12 October.
978848345/2
2. Miss White told me at the time that she had checked several of these agreements, including, e.g. the Swiss one, and that they did not extend to Hong Kong. I gather she had interpreted the Annex to the Swiss agreement as being an extension clause. However, I recently looked in detail at the Agreements with all the West European countries, and came to the conclusion that I disagree with her interpretation. In the Swiss Agreement, the Annex does not serve the function of an extension clause, and paragraph 1(c)(i) can be interpreted as covering Hong Kong.
3. I have consulted our Legal Adviser, who confirms that the Swiss Agreement and those with Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden do cover Hong Kong. Those which do not are those with Austria, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Spain and Turkey.
4. I propose to write to Hong Kong along the lines of the attached draft and should be grateful for any comments you may have.
4 February 1980
Rhona J. M. Ritchie
که
R J M Ritchie (Ms)
Hong Kong and General Department K242
233 3988
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