TNAG-2090-FCO40-2975-Diplomatic-representation-of-third-countries-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 7

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BACKGROUND

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1.

The Minister may wish, in The margins of the FAC, to press Andriessen on the question of the Commission office in

Hong Kong.

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the Minister

opportunity

2. We have regularly urged the Commission over the past

18 months to establish an office in Hong Kong. When

Andriessen visited Hong Kong in March, he said in a speech,

"it has been agreed that the Commission will open an office

in Hong Kong and I have proposed that the necessary finance

be provided for necessary finance be provided for this to

take place in 1991". A Commission aid memoire of 3 July,

which was subsequently agreed by COREPER, announced their

decision to open in 1991 delegations in Prague, Sofia,

Riyadh and Buenos Aires and an office (smaller scale) in Hong Kong. The Governor of Hong Kong refinforced the importance of the issue when he visited Brussels in

october..

3.

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However, Gida (Deputy Director General, DGI), when he called on Mr Lilley on 27 November, said that the Commission

had accorded higher priority Prague, Sofia and Riyadh in allocating their 1991 budget. A DGI source (please protect) tells us that there is provision in the budget for Buenos

Aires as well, but not Hong Kong. DGI still hope to

establish a Hong Kong office next year, holding over formal

but we shouldgreveal this. budget provision until 1992, and As this irregular route cannot be guaranteed, we should take this opportunity to increase the pressure on Andriessen/ to honour his public

pledge.

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9CNAAC/2

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