Brussels, 23/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Union concluded with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) the very first agreement for the readmission of persons in an irregular situation on the territory of either party. Donald Tsang, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR took part, alongside European Commissioner Antonio Vitorino, at the ceremony marking the end of negotiations.
According to the HKSAR second in charge, the fact that this agreement is the first of a series that the Union hopes to conclude with third countries "reflects international confidence in the integrity and efficiency of Hong Kong's Immigration Department under 'One Country, Two Systems'". This point of view is shared by Mr Vitorino, who said: "Hong Kong's willingness to be the first to complete a Readmission Agreement with the EU is a positive sign of Hong Kong's free and open society". He welcomed the speed with which the partners reached an agreement as illustrating the "strength and depth" of their bilateral relations. The main negotiations took part last month in Hong Kong in the wake of the decision that the Union took in March not to require an entry visa for HKSAR passport holders.
Mr Tsang, who was making his very first official visit to the seat of the Community Executive in the context of a trip that continued to France, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom, also met Mr Vitorino and the Vice-President of the European Commission, Neil Kinnock, on potential improvements to their relationshipo, the economic development of HKSAR, the impact of global recession in Asia and China's accession to the WTO.