TNAG-2953-FCO40-4230-Hong-Kong-European-Community-visa-regime-for-British-Nationa-1993 — Page 46

MLEGI

3:45 2004

F.01

Copied to Eril/Machüchlen)

Dr vicles 5147/9

MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

立法局議員

By Fax and By Post

Mr Woodrow

Ref: MS/9

to draft ( drausing su

My Goodlaw's letter to

Cur Towny +) 7/9

Мне

The Rt. Hon. Douglas Hurd, CBE, MPOT

Foreign Secretary

Foreign and Commonwealth office

King Charles Street

Whitehall

for

Mrs Barnes Jones pls

7 September 1993

Kichett's,

advice and

HKD

ify appropriate, dingt

ae Ps

PJ/Mr. Goodla

London SW1

United Kingdom

3:

ват

the. Hand

~105825

Пр

Dr then

Hds

MVD

Visa Requirement by "Schengen" Countries

ECDE) Planner

U21

}

Kong Ner

I write on behalf of Members of the Hong Legislative Council to express our deep concern at the impact of a new European visa regime on Hong Kong residents holding British National (Overseas) [BN (0)] and Territories Citizen [BDTC] passports.

Dependent

British

Sr. Admin

countries to the

The move of the nine signatory Schengen Convention (the "Schengen" countries) to form a "common travel area" within the member-states and to operate a common visa list was recently reported by the media here. Apparently, Spain intends to introduce a visa requirement from

1 October 1993, which affects Hong Kong.

Members of the Legislative Council are concerned that the new requirement should be imposed on BN (O) and BDTC passport holders. As you know, no visa is now required of them for travel to Spain.

We are also concerned that the other signatory countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy and Greece) which at present offer visa-free facilities to BN(0) and BDTC passport holders would follow Spain and introduce â visa requirement for Hong Kong passport holders. This takes away âï existing privilege. This is unfair and unacceptable.

We appreciate the merits of a "common travel area" but this should not result in removal of existing privileges. We are of the view that the visa-free arrangement currently applicable to BN (0) and BDTC passport holders for travel to the majority of the "Schengen" countries should be maintained in the implementation of the Schengen Convention. The imposition of visas will inconvenience business visitors and may deter tourists. Surely, this negative impact on the business tourist sectors cannot be in the interest of Europe.

Legislative Council Building, 8 Jackson Road, Centrel. Hong Kong, $X+XRQHAMIDS Tel. 326 4027

and

д ?