TNAG-2950-FCO40-4227-Hong-Kong-visa-free-travel-for-British-Nationals-(Overseas)--1993 — Page 85

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045612

MDLOAN 9445

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TELNO 226

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INFO ROUTINE VIENNA, PORT LOUIS

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Pocoss.

YOUR TELNO 203: VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT HOLDERS VISITING AUSTRIA AND MAURITIUS

1.

Apologies for the delay in replying to TUR. As you will be aware from Howard Parkinson's (MVD) discussions with Francis Cheung (Immigration Department) on 12 February, your request has prompted much discussion between departments here. We share your wish to broaden the range of countries who grant visa-free access for British Nationals with right of abode in Hong Kong, and agree that we should ensure where possible that BN (0)s receive no-less favourable treatment from receiving states than BDTCs.

have some difficulties with the tactics proposed to achieve this objective.

2. Our immediate problem lies with Austria, (see para 7, below, for comment on Mauritius). As you acknowledge, there is a risk that if we reopen negotiations with the Austrians and ask them to review their policy on visa-free access for BN (0) passport holders, they may decide to curtail the visa-free access now enjoyed by BDTCs. This would affect not only Hong Kong BDTCs but those from other Dependent Territories too. We appreciate that you are prepared to take this risk. But other Territories would certainly not wish to lose this facility, and we should prefer to avoid action which put their visa-free status in jeopardy.

3. We think the way forward which stands most chance of succeeding, with minimum risk to the interests of other DTs, would be for the Hong Kong Government to open negotiations directly with the Austrian Government. This should serve to focus Austrian attention on the need to bring their treatment of BN (0)s into line with Hong Kong BDTCs. If you agree with this approach, we would propose to instruct HBM Embassy, Vienna to convey a request on your behalf for a meeting with the Austrian government, and ask Vienna to facilitate any subsequent negotiations (eg with assistance in arranging meetings and with communications support). Grateful for your views.

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