Mr Rushford
Legal Advisers
SHFORD
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Reference....
HKCK 34511
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HONG KONG: VISA WAIVER ARRANGEMENT WITH WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
1. My minute of 24 January sought your views on my interpretation of the UK's Visa Abolition Agreement with Switzerland. You agreed (your manuscript minute of 28 January) that it covers Hong Kong.
2.
I have now looked at the UK's Agreements with 12 other European countries, and have found only three which, in my view, exclude Hong Kong, i.e. those with:
(i) Greece (paragraph 2(b) read in conjunction with the Annex); (ii) Spain (sub-paragraph 2); and
(iii) Turkey
Annex).
(paragraph (2)(b)(i) read in conjunction with the
3. The Hong Kong passport bears on its cover the inscription "British Passport" at the top, and at the bottom the inscription "Hong Kong", and, inside, the description of the holder's national status as "British Subject: Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies". I am therefore of the opinion that the UK's agree- ments with the following countries do extend to Hong Kong:
Ι
4.
Belgium Denmark
France
Italy
Paragraph 3) (Sub-paragraph
Sub-paragraph (2))
Sub-paragraph (2)
Luxembourg
Sub-paragraph (2))
Netherlands
Paragraph 3.
Norway
Sub-paragraph (2))
Portugal
Sweden
Paragraph 1,
(Sub-paragraph (2))
ENCLOSURE,
CODE 18-77
I should be grateful if you would confirm my interpretation of these agreements before I write to Hong Kong.
Rhona J. M. Ritchie.
R J M Ritchie (Ms)
Hong Kong and General Department K242
233 3988
1 February 1980
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sec 110 Mason to
лю
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A.R.R.
4.2.80.
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