TNAG-2965-FCO40-4244-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Consular-representation-of-European-Coun-1993 — Page 22

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EC/HONG KONG:

Where of the fan silar forps as well as ofter Int Orgs, 1. The latest developments on setting up the Commission office in Hong Kong are detailed in UKRep Brussels tel no 1732, Mr Wright's letter to ECD (E) of 6 July and Mr Delors' letter (delivered on 4 July) to the Governor. The Commission have suggested discussions in Brussels before the end of July, to work for agreement so that the Commission office can officially open when Mr Van Den Broek visits Hong Kong 13-15 October.

2.

1616/7

I spoke to Mr Fung in the Trade and Industry Branch in the HKG to remind him of our interest in being kept up to date with thinking in Hong Kong. He is keen for discussions, rather than more exchanges of letters although there are various things on the Delors wish list which just can't be managed. Putting together a team to go to Brussels did present logistical problems with such a very short time to get organised. (I wonder whether the Brussels people could go to Hong Kong? Might be worth considering). However, Mr Fung is anxious that Hong Kong should not be seen as sending the wrong signals to the Commission and was already working to assemble a team and finalise the package which Hong Kong have been working on for some time (no indications as to what would be on offer that is not already).

3.

Like Mr Wright, I think there is some possibility of a pragmatic solution. It is encouraging that the Commission have committed themselves in the sense that they have rented office space and and are selecting the Commission representative. (Unless this represents supreme confidence on the Commission's part that they will get their own way in the end).

4.

(They

We need to encourage Hong Kong to move as far as they can along the track of granting privileges where they can by administrative means and to spell out what is possible. told us in June that they had nearly finalised work on a possible package). Mr Jones Parry's letter of 1 April to Mr Wright enclosed a chart tabling the possibilities. I have taken a quick look at the list the Commission has given to Hong Kong. I attach an annotated list. My impression is that, despite the scant recognition expressed in the Delors letter (and to which Mr Wright refers to) of the constraints under which the Hong Kong authorities are operating quite a lot of what the Commission is asking for might possibly be managed by Hong Kong. (Some are headings that I have not seen before, and I do not know what Hong Kong's

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