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French President informs CS of new visa-free deal for HKSAR Passport holders

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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, has today (November 21 Paris time) received confirmation from the French Government that visa-free access will be granted to HKSAR passport holders for nine Overseas Departments and Territories of the French Republic.

The visa-free access for visits up to three months will take effect from January 1, 2002.

"We warmly welcome this decision of the Government of the French Republic to extend their visa-free grant to nine Overseas Departments and Territories," Mr Tsang said after meeting the French President Mr Jacques Chirac.

"This decision reconfirms the confidence of the French Republic in our immigration controls under the 'One Country, Two Systems' arrangement."

The European Union Council Regulation granting visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders that took effect on April 10 this year applied to metropolitan France but not French Overseas Departments and Territories.

The French Republic's decision, confirmed today, will extend the visa-free access to Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique, Reunion, the Territory of Mayotte, the Territory of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, French Polynesia, the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands as well as French Southern Hemisphere and Antarctic Lands, excluding New Caledonia.

Residents of French Overseas Departments and Territories can visit Hong Kong visa-free for up to three months.

Currently, HKSAR passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 92 countries and territories.

Earlier Mr Tsang held talks with Mr Laurent Fabius, the French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry. The Chief Secretary for Administration and Mr Fabius discussed the global economic prospects, the launch of a new round of world trade talks and the consequences of China's entry into the World Trade Organisation.

There was also agreement on the need to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorist organisations through the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, for which Hong Kong holds the presidency this year.

Mr Tsang also held talks with the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Commission, including Mr Jean-Bernard Raimond, the Commission Vice-chairman.

Later today (Paris time), Mr Tsang will call on the President of the National Assembly, Mr Raymond Forni and brief the Board of Directors of the French Institute of International Relations.

Mr Tsang leaves for Brussels later this afternoon (Paris time), where he will deliver a keynote speech at a dinner for the European Parliament - Hong Kong Friendship Group.

End/Wednesday, November 21, 2001

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