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FM FCO
TO PRIORITY ATHENS
TELNO 196
OF 04110OZ AUGUST 93
AND TO PRIORITY BRUSSELS
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345.
MKD 34011
RECEIVER IN REGISTRY
05 AUG 1993
DESK OFFICER
INUEA
PA
THE HAGUE, LUXEMBOURG, MADRID
AND TO PRIORITY ROME, UKREP BRUSSELS
INFO PRIORITY BONN, HONG KONG, LISBON, PARIS
130653
MDLOAN 8880
TOP COPY Q DIST?
ра
do
$78.
INCLUSION OF HONG KONG ON COMMON VISA LIST OF SCHENGEN CONVENTION COUNTRIES
1.
Instructions to approach capitals of Benelux, Greece and Italy for information on their plans for implementation of the Schengen Common Visa List and to lobby for continued visa free access for Hong Kong British Dependant Territory Citizens (BDTCs) and British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(0)s). Madrid to follow up earlier approach to Spanish authorities.
BACKGROUND
2.
The Spanish authorities notified us last month that, with effect from 1 October 1993, visas (before arrival) would be a requirement for all Hong Kong BDTC or BN (0) visitors. (Madrid telmisc 117 not to all.) Our Embassy in Madrid established that Hong Kong is on the Common Visa List (CVL) established by the 9 signatories of the Schengen Convention (SC). The Spanish had anticipated the coming into force of the agreement (to take place, at the earliest, on 1 December 1993).
3. Both the substance and the timing of the Spanish move and the news that Hong Kong figures on the SC CVL come as a blow to us and to Hong Kong. We have been trying to equalise treatment of Hong Kong BDTCs /BN (0)s in Europe upwards rather than downwards; Benelux, Italy and Greece do not at present require visas for BDTCs and BN (0)s. We judge that the announcement now of visa regimes to be applied by European countries will have a negative impact on the Phased BN (0) Registration Programme (guidance telno 181 to Abidjan now faxed to UKREP Brussels).
4 We will take the opportunity of a meeting with French
"
officials on 2 August to seek clarification about the Schengen CVL in general and Hong Kong in particular. In parallel, grateful if you could explore the issue and lobby on behalf of
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