CONFIDENTIAL
The FRG was the only EC country to require visas from Hong Kong
British Dependent Territory Citizens, and we hoped that this requirement could be abolished.
5. Dr Meyer-Landrut said that the Ministry of Interior was
concerned at the implications of any relaxation in the regime for
after 1997. He understood that a new identity card was being
issued, whose validity would be limited until 1997. He hoped it would be possible to abolish the visa regime for this category of people. Mr Eggar said that this was not a new system, but that
those entitled to British Dependent Territory Citizenship would now get a British National (Overseas) Passport. Essentially the same people were entitled to the same document as at present, but that
document would bear a different name. The change would not take
place for 2 years yet.
6.
Dr Meyer-Landrut said that the Ministry of Interior was well
aware of the problem. The Auswaertiges Amt had asked the Ministry of Interior that they should at least issue multiple visas, or visas valid for an extended period. This would constitute a step forward,
but there was no prospect of complete abolition of visa requirements, given the prevalent concern about the excessively liberal asylum regulations. It was only the visa regime which prevented such people from settling permanently in the FRG.
Mr Eggar said that we would appreciate anything which could be
done to alleviate the problem.
7.
Distribution:
PS/Mr Eggar
HKD
WED
Mr Dixon, Research Dept.
MVD
CONFIDENTIAL