TNAG-2953-FCO40-4230-Hong-Kong-European-Community-visa-regime-for-British-Nationa-1993 — Page 89

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HUD 345 MEMbers of legisLATIVE COUNCIL

RECEIVED.

2 2 SEP 1993

DESK OFFICEF

INDER

立法局議員

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allon M. Woodrow

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7 September 1993

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The Rt. Hon. Douglas Hurd, CBE, MPAT

Foreign and Commonwealth office

Foreign Secretary

King Charles Street

Whitehall

London SW1

United Kingdom

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Visa Requirement by "Schengen" Countries

astra, Good Ind

Dr Hun

Has MVD

ECDE) Planners

Kong News

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

residents holding British National (Overseas) [BN (0)] and British Territories Citizen [BDTC] passports.

Dependent

countries to the

Sr. Adrin

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76

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.

Italy and Greece)

signatory

to BN (0) to BN (0) introduce

and BDTC

We are also concerned that the other countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, which at present offer visa-free facilities passport holders would follow Spain and requirement for Hong Kong passport holders, This takes away an existing privilege. This is unfair and unacceptable.

visa

We

We appreciate the merits of a "common travel area" but this should not result in removal of existing privileges. 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 and tourist sectors cannot be in the interest of Europe.

Legislative Council Building, & Jackson Road, Central. Hong Kong, SE÷EREIAMIŁA TJ, 526 4027