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SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1985
* EXPECTS IN PARTICULAR THE COMMISSION AND COUNCIL TO SUPPORT
EFFORTS TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO REMAIN A MEMBER OF GATT AND THE IMF AFTER 1997 AS LONG AS HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THESE BODIES AND NOTES THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES THE CONTINUED PARTICIPATION OF HONG KONG AFTER 1997 IN GATT, WHICH IS A MATTER OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE }
* EXPECTS THAT EVEN AFTER 1997 HONG KONG WILL BE
REPRESENTED IN THE COMMUNITY BY AN ECONOMIC AND TRADE MISSION AND THAT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY FOR ITS PART WILL BE DULY REPRESENTED IN HONG KONG
* BELIEVES IT NECESSARY FOR THE COMMISSION TO TAKE STEPS
TO ENCOURAGE ALL MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY TO FACILITATE BUSINESS AND TRADE CONTRACTS AND CONSEQUENTLY PERSONAL TRAVEL TO AND FROM HONG KONG BY ELIMINATING THE VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR CITIZENS OF HONG KONG FOR VISITS UP TO THREE MONTHS AND EXPECTS FROM HONG KONG IN RETURN RECIPROCAL MEASURES INCLUDING A WAIVER OF ANY FURTHER INCREASE IN AIRPORT TAXES:
* EXPECTS FURTHER THAT THE COMMISSION WILL WORK CLOSELY
TOGETHER THROUGH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WITH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP WHICH WILL BEGIN ITS WORK ONCE THE JOINT DECLARATION ENTERS INTO FORCE ON JUNE 30, 1985 ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO RELATIONS IN FUTURE BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND HONG KONG AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
MR DEREK JONES, MINISTER, BRUSSELS, WHO WAS IN LUXEMBOURG TO ATTEND THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON THE REPORT, SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED THAT IT RECOGNISED THE ROLE HONG KONG COULD PLAY OVER THE COMING DECADES AS A TRADE, BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CENTRE ESPECIALLY IN REGARD TO ITS POSITION AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA.
HE WELCOMED THE STRESS PLACED IN THE REPORT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG'S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE GATT AND ITS CALL FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY'S FULL SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE THIS.
+1 AM SURE THAT THE ADOPTION OF THIS REPORT WILL ASSIST IN THE EXPANSION OF ECONOMIC AND TRADE TIES BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND HONG KONG, HE SAID.
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