RESTRICTED
020013 MDHIAN 3583
TOP COPY
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCOLN
TELNO 1409
OF 021052Z SEPTEMBER 93
Q DIST?
INFO PRIORITY ATHENS, BONN, BRUSSELS, THE HAGUE, LISBON
INFO PRIORITY LUXEMBOURG, MADRID, PARIS, ROME, UKREP BRUSSELS INFO PRIORITY PEKING
OUR TELNO 1363: INCLUSION OF HONG KONG ON COMMON VISA LIST OF SCHENGEN CONVENTION COUNTRIES
SUMMARY
1.
SPANISH CONSUL GENERAL EXPLAINED NEED TO IMPOSE VISA RESTRICTIONS ON HONG KONG DUE TO A LEGAL TECHNICALITY. TO ENABLE VISA-FREE TRAVEL TO SPAIN NOW ENJOYED BY HONG KONG BDTCS AND BN (0)S TO CONTINUE, UK MAY NEED TO ENTER INTO A VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENT WITH SPAIN. WE SHOULD PRESS URGENTLY FOR A POSTPONEMENT OF THE 1 OCTOBER IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE SPAIN DECISION TO ALLOW US MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THIS OPTION.
DETAIL
2.
SPANISH CONSUL GENERAL CALLED ON ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION ON 1 SEPTEMBER AND PROVIDED EXPLANATION OF THE BACKGROUND TO THE SPANISH INTENTION TO REQUIRE VISAS FOR HONG KONG BDTCS AND BN (0)S.
3.
FIRSTLY, AND OF WIDER SIGNIFICANCE THAN JUST FOR SPAIN, HE GAVE US A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE SCHENGEN AGREEMENT IS GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED: IF A COUNTRY OR TERRITORY IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CVL, THE NORMAL VISA REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL SCHENGEN COUNTRIES WOULD APPLY. IF THIS IS CORRECT THEN IT WOULD EXPLAIN WHY WE ARE NOT ON THE CVL ACCORDING TO THE FRENCH.
4.
HIS EXPLANATION FOR THE SPANISH MOVE ITSELF WAS AS FOLLOWS. THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT REGARDED ITS PRACTICE SINCE 1987 OF ISSUING PERMITS ON ARRIVAL ALLOWING 30 DAY VISITS TO HONG KONG BDTCS AND BN (0)S AS NOT WITHIN THEIR LEGAL DEFINITION OF VISA FREE. THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCHENGEN AGREEMENT REQUIRED THEM TO REGULARISE THIS PRACTICE INTO A PROPER VISA SYSTEM, WITH ALL VISITORS EITHER ENTERING WITH VISAS OBTAINED BEFORE DEPARTURE OR UNDER VISA FREE
1
PAGE RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.