CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY MADRID
TELNO 182
CONFIDENTIAL
HUD 345/5
RECE
2 2 SEP 1993
DE
INDE
OF 171703Z SEPTEMBER 93
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG OTHER EC POSTS
H
061153 MDLOAN 1574
TOP COPY Q DIST?
OUR TELNO 180: SPANISH VISA REGIMES FOR HONG KONG BDTCS AND BNOS
345/31.
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Counsellor Cebrian from the Spanish Embassy called on 17 September on Hong Kong Department to follow up discussion between Appleyard and Villar in Brussels on 7 September. Cebrian was under instructions to make it clear that the suspension from 1 October of special arrangements for Hong Kong BDTCs and BN (0) s could not be reconsidered and that the imposition of a visa regime would go ahead.
2. Cebrian spoke to a note prepared by Carbajal's division (Consular Division of Spanish MFA). (Copy faxed to Madrid, we are having the document translated from Spanish in London). Cebrian's presentation added little to points already advanced by the Spanish side in Hong Kong and Madrid (Hong Kong telno 1409 and Madrid telno 408 refer). Hong Kong was not being singled out, visa regimes were being introduced for a number of countries for reasons connected with Spain's Schengen obligations. Cebrian volunteered that the prospect of the new arrangements were proving particularly painful for Venezuela. Spain regretted that the timing caused Hong Kong difficulties but he could hold out no hope for postponement. Carbajal would be happy to come to London to explain in more detail the reasons for Spain's action, should we find this helpful.
3. Morris (HKD) explained our understanding following discussion with other Schengen Convention Member States that there was no obligation under Schengen for Member States who did not at present impose a visa regime on Hong Kong BDTCs and BN (0)s to do so now. Given that there was no Schengen imperative, we had hoped that Spain might find room for flexibility over Hong Kong. Morris went over the good record of Hong Kong BDTCs and BN (0) s visiting Europe. He reminded Cebrian about the careful control over the issue of BDTC/BN (0) passports. He also spelt out the there strict controls in Hong Kong on immigration from China -
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