Ref: CON 345/4
19 March 1992
John Dean Esq
British Embassy Prague
Thunovska 14
125 50 Prague
Telephone: (02) 53 33 40/47/48/49 Telex: 121011 (a/b PRDM C)
Facsimile: (02) 53 99 27
Security Branch
Government Secretariat
Lower Albert Road
HONG KONG
HKD 345/2
RECE
31 MAR 1992
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VISA WAIVER: CZECHOSLOVAKIA/HONG KONG
8
1. Please refer to your letter of 17 February.
2. At my last discussion on this subject with the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Department I was told that the whole subject of immigration policy was being reconsidered and regulations were likely to be amended. The Federal Government did not want to consider an agreement with Hong Kong separately. At the same time, I was asked to provide some information on passports issued to Hong Kong residents and their validity after 30 June 1996 (N &TD have been asked for this). I was also told that the Czechoslovak authorities did not consider a waiver for a seven day visit either useful or practical and that, if and when they were ready to consider the provisions of an agreement, they would want to think in terms of at least 30 days and possibly up to three months.
3. We think in fact that the Czechoslovak authorities see little need for a visa waiver agreement at the moment. They routinely provide regular visitors from Hong Kong with single or multi-entry visas, and Czechoslovak citizens experience no difficulty getting visas for Hong Kong. Early action on the draft agreement does not seem likely.
Miss J Holder
First Secretary (Management)
and Consul
CC: Hong Kong Department, FCO
Chancery, Peking
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