TNAG-2951-FCO40-4228-Hong-Kong-visa-free-travel-for-British-Nationals-(Overseas)--1993 — Page 70

Q9.

Are you going to persuade these Schengen countries to allow

HKCI holders visa-free visits as well?

A9.

For the purpose of the present lobbying exercise, we will

concentrate on persuading the countries concerned to preserve

the visa-free facilities for BN (0)s and HKBDTCS because that

is what they are enjoying now. As HKCIs are issued to persons whose national status is uncertain, it would not be appropriate to lobby on their behalf.

Q10. How has the Schengen Convention come into existence?

A10. The Schengen Agreement was originally signed on 14 June 1985

by 5 countries: the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands. It concerns the gradual

abolition of controls at their common frontiers.

The Schengen Convention signed on 19 June 1990 by the

signatores to the Schengen Agreement mainly contains detailed

implementing rules on the abolition of internal border checks

of persons.

On 17 November 1990, Italy became the 6th party to both the

Agreement and the Convention, while Spain and Portugal were

admitted as observers.

At present, there are 9 member states: Italy, Spain, Belgium,

Netherlands, Luxembourg, Greece, France, Germany and

Portugal.

Q11. Have the UKG and the HKG ever kept track of the development

of this Agreement and its effect on Hong Kong?

All. The UK Government is not a party to this agreement and the

information available is limited and patchy.

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