ØV-SEP-1993
10:05
UKREP EL BRUSSELO
to discuss this item further
The two delegations agreed after first going through the entire list in Annex I.
Exemption of taxation of office premises and residences
10.
Mrs
there
по
Ip said
in providing be would
problem exemption from taxation for the office premises and residence of the However, it would head of the office under existing legislation.
not be possible to extend such exemption to the residences of other officers as the residences of consular officials other than that of the head of post did not enjoy similar exemption under the Consular Relations Ordinance (Cap 259).
11.
Mr
Edwards
in practice,
the
only
forms
of
said that taxation concerned would be stamp duty and rates which would involve very small amounts. In reply to Mr Kuijper, Mr Edwards
Mr Edwards confirmed that rates would be considered as payments for services rendered.
Freedom of movement
12.
Mrs
IP
confirmed
that
there
would be
по
problem with
freedom of movement in Hong Kong.
Freedom of communication including use of diplomatic pouch
13.
was
to
for
official
of
to mention the
Mrs Ip said Hong Kong could give an assurance that subject to the relevant laws of Hong Kong, the Government would use its best endeavours to ensure the freedom
for official of communication purposes and that the official correspondence of the EC Office in Hong Kong would neither be opened nor detained. She explained that
it
not possible
provide
inviolability
under existing
Or legislation correspondence diplomatic pouch as Hong Kong could not have diplomatic relations. The present assurance would be given effect administratively and the official correspondence of the EC Office in Hong Kong would not be opened unless there was substantial reason to believe that it was necessary and only in the presence of an EC official.
14.
further.
Mr Stathopoulos said
this question had
to be
discussed
/Protection