for the three categories subject to limitation where Hong Kong
could not meet Community origin rules.
The Community representative could not accept this proposal.
On the general question of diversion of trade raised by the Community, Hong Hong would apply the full force of the law in cases
where fraud within Hong Kong was established in court-, which
could include the withdrawal of the right to export. If requested
by the Commission, investigations would be pursued with the utmost rigour. Hong Kong fully observed Article 8 of the MFA in this.
connection.
Both delegations regretted that a long-term solution had not yet been found. It was agreed that the Community would pursue as a
matter of urgency their efforts to this end and that, in the meantime, there was no choice but to continue the present arrangement for a
further limited period of time, and until the Community could propose
a solution.
III.Other business
1. Signature of Agreement
The Hong Kong representative denied Press reports that Hong Kong was not disposed to sign the Agreement. They were anxious to do so but wanted the Agreement finalized in all its details before doing so.
*
The Member States breakdown in Annex II for example did not show positive
growth in successive years in 46 instances over 9 categories. The Commission
undertook to look into this.
On timing, the Commission representative did, not advocate a fixed
date but suggested February 1979 as a probability.
As to notification to the TSB, the Hong Kong representative said that
his authorities wished to check the non-English language versions prior to signing the Agreement and that notification should await this.
2. End of year shipments
In response to a question, the Commission representative indicated that the Commission was always prepared, without commitment, to look at any problems arising out of the application of the agreement.
3. Seminar in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong representative put forward, for the Commission's con- sideration, a suggestion for a seminar in Hong Kong before 31 March
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.