EU grants visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders
****************************************************************

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government received information today (December 5) that the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) had reached an agreement in principle to grant visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders.

"We warmly welcome the Council's decision. It is a major breakthrough in our efforts to promote travel convenience for HKSAR passport holders," the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, said today.

"It shows that the EU has great confidence in the integrity of our immigration control under the 'One country, two systems' principle as well," she added.

The Justice and Home Affairs Council of EU agreed to a Council Regulation on visa policy on 1 December. As and when the Regulation comes into force, it will enable HKSAR passport holders to visit 13 more EU Member States visa-free for a period up to three months.

The Council Regulation would be submitted to the European Parliament for consultation before it can be formally adopted. It is expected that the remaining legal procedures will be completed in the first half of 2001.

"We do not expect any major complications for the remaining legal procedures as the European Parliament has already passed a resolution calling for the speedy adoption of the proposed Council Regulation for granting visa free access to Hong Kong," Mrs Ip said.

She said all HKSAR passport holders, frequent travellers and businessmen in particular, would benefit greatly from the positive decision of the Council when implemented.

"The EU is our third largest trading partner. The visa-free arrangement will further boost bilateral relations on all fronts. I am confident that the already very strong cultural, tourist and economic ties between the two places will grow further and faster because of enhanced travel convenience, " she added.

In a declaration issued by the Council, the European Commission was invited to put before the Council recommendations for negotiating a readmission agreement with the HKSAR before the adoption of the proposed Council Regulation.

"It is not a pre-condition for granting us visa-free access. The Council's declaration reflects the interest of Member States to negotiate a readmission agreement with Hong Kong. We stand ready to negotiate such an agreement with the EU", Mrs Ip commented.

A readmission agreement signed between Hong Kong and the Federal Republic of Germany in November 2000 is likely to be the basis for the negotiation of any further readmission agreement with the EU.

Of the EU Member States, the UK and Ireland have already granted visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders. In 1999, Hong Kong residents made some 310 000 trips to Europe.

The EU Council's decision, when implemented, will bring to 86 the total number of countries/territories granting visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders.

End/Tuesday, December 5, 2000
NNNN



Return to Top