..
RESTRICTED
SINGAPORE
-
A positive development which would boost business and investor confidence in Hong Kong. It was in
the interests of countries in the region to see Hong Kong
continue to thrive and prosper in the run up to 1997 and
beyond. (MFA Press Statement: full text not yet to hand)
FRANCE
V
Warmly approved the agreement. Believed that partners in the Twelve would accept the logic of the need for the Prime Minister to visit China in order to set the
seal on an agreement which should facilitate the management of our residual period in Hong Kong.
ITALY
(MFA Officials)
Splendid news, which would be well received by Italian Ministers. The agreement a very valuable contribution to the process of putting the West's relations
with China on a more normal footing. In that context,
everything that happened in Hong Kong between now and 1997 was of particular significance. Enthusiastic about news that the Prime Minister would visit China soon. Believed
this was precisely the right time to begin the process of
high-level contact with the Chinese. Hence Andreotti's plan
to visit China in the autumn.
(MFA Officials)
THE NETHERLANDS Dutch Government welcomed publication of the agreement and consider that a more extensive basis has hereby been laid for fruitful cooperation between both countries regarding the future of Hong Kong which serves the
interests of the world and certainly also of
The Netherlands.
(MFA Statement)
GREECE Grateful for briefing but expressed gentle surprise that we had agreed to a Prime Ministerial visit without
consulting EC partners.
ATPADZ/3
RESTRICTED
(MFA Officials)