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FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE MADRID
TELNO 161
OF 211629Z JULY 93
AND TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
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TOP COPY Q DIST?
075733 MDHOAN 5918
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YOUR TELNO MISC 117 AND HONG KONG TELNO 1189:
SPANISH VISA REGIME FOR BDTCS/BNOS
1.
Instructions to lobby the Spanish to delay any public announcement of the new visa regime for British nationals in Hong
Kong.
2. We share Hong Kong's concerns about Spain's withdrawal, effective from 1 October, of visa-free access for BDTCs and BN (0)s, particularly if it heralds a decision by other Schengen countries to withdraw visa-free access. HKG have told us that the Spanish Consul-General had intended to make public the new arrangements this week. He has been persuaded to hold off for a short while, but apparently plans to make an announcement next week. As Hong Kong point out, this timing is extremely damaging for the launch of the phased registration programme for BN (0) s introduced by an Order in Council which came into effect on 21 July.
4. Grateful if you would therefore take an early opportunity to raise this matter with the Spanish, drawing on the speaking notes below, to (i) register our disappointment at this development (ii) attempt to ride the Spanish off an early announcement of the new arrangements (iii) establish the background to their decision and whether this is part of a Schengen wide decision.
5. On the last point, our knowledge of the detailed discussions between Schengen members about proposed practical arrangements once the Convention comes into force is patchy. Anything you can glean on whether there is an agreed policy on Hong Kong and whether other countries are on the verge of following Spain's example would be useful, but we leave it to your judgement on how far you can go without antagonising the Spanish and possibly disposing them against our request for delaying publicity for the new arrangements.
HICD 345/3
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