TNAG-2953-FCO40-4230-Hong-Kong-European-Community-visa-regime-for-British-Nationa-1993 — Page 15

12

OPB "c

HKD

MUD

MR JAY'S MEETING WITH Sr ELORZA, 29 SEPTEMBER

HONG KONG/SPAIN:

PA

34571

IMPOSITION OF SPANISH VISA REQUIREMENT ON HONG

25

KONG VISITORS

MID

345/5

POINTS TO MAKE

RECE

2 9SEP 1993

Concerned about Spain's decision to discontinue arrangements for visa free visits to Spain for British Nationals from Hong Kong British Dependent Territory Citizens and British

-

Nationals (overseas). These have worked well since 1988.

Decision to re-impose a visa regime from 1 October has been received with dismay in Hong Kong. Continuity in visa free travel arrangements is a significant confidence building measure

there.

- Our understanding is that such measures are not required under Schengen regulations. Hong Kong does not figure on any of the three parts of the Schengen visa list. Question the relevance of Article 5.2 of the Schengen Convention as justification for

this action.

Would it be possible to delay implementation to enable our experts to explore other solutions.

BACKGROUND

1. The Spanish decision brings to an end arrangements under

which visas have been waived since 1988 for Hong Kong visitors. Mr Appleyard raised the matter with Villar, the Spanish Political Director in Brussels recently, and we have tried a number of times to get the Spaniards to change their minds or to delay the reimposition of the visa regime. The Secretary of State may raise the point with his Spanish opposite number in the margins of the UNGA. The Spaniards have remained intransigent. We see little prospect of getting them to reverse the decision though the reason they have given (necessary to

comply with Schengen Convention regulations) seems spurious.

MMCL092881

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