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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) and the European Commission (EC), at a meeting of the first annual structured dialogue today (November 30), agreed on parameters to facilitate the establishment of an effective platform for regular high-level liaison between officials of the two sides.
The HKSARG Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, and the President of the EC, Mr Jose Manuel Barroso, reached agreement last year on the establishment of a structured dialogue as a platform to develop, broaden and deepen co-operation between the HKSARG and EC in areas of common interest.
At today's meeting, delegations of the HKSARG and EC, headed by the Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce and Industry), Ms Linda Lai, and the Director for Asia, Directorate General for External Relations of the European Commission, Mr James Moran, respectively, recognised the long-standing bilateral relations between the EU and Hong Kong, and agreed that both sides would continue to enhance understanding and co-operation on economic, trade and regulatory issues of mutual interest.
They took note of the Declaration of the Presidency of the European Union of 28th June 2007 which expressed:
"its sincere congratulations to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of its establishment. The principle of one country, two systems has generally worked well in practice and Hong Kong today remains a success."
"The relationship between the European Union and the HKSAR has continued to develop positively in all fields since Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. People-to-people contacts were supported by granting visa-free access to the EU for Hong Kong residents. Moreover, the EU-HKSAR Customs Co-operation Agreement of 1999 also helped underpin the independent functioning of the HKSAR economy."
They took note of the already substantial ongoing cooperation between the HKSARG and EC in trade, customs and immigration administration (through the Customs Cooperation Agreement, Visa-Free Access Agreement, and Re-Admission Agreement).
The ongoing annual meetings between the HKSARG and the EC as regards customs cooperation and immigration cooperation are solid foundations upon which to build further cooperation.
In particular, the delegations shared views on protection of intellectual property rights, related customs issues, CEPA and competition policy.
They also exchanged views on topics including food safety, nutritional labelling, food traceability and health issues such as the exchange of epidemiology information.
They further agreed to explore ways to facilitate Hong Kong based manufacturers and service providers in meeting the EU's regulatory requirements, and to encourage and help EU businesses to make better use of the business opportunities presented by CEPA. Both sides also agreed to continue strengthening co-operation on immigration control and environmental protection through annual meetings, mutual visits or other appropriate arrangements.
The trade relationship is a key driver of EU-Hong Kong relations. Both the HKSARG and the EC attach great importance to the successful conclusion of the Doha Development Round of the WTO and are working towards that end. The successful Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong Kong in December 2005 was an important milestone in that direction.
Both sides noted that cooperation on tax matters and air transportation services will continue. They agreed that their relations will continue to grow from strength to strength, and that they will spare no effort to strengthen their ties and tap the opportunities ahead. They will also maintain close contact at all levels and keep in view the progress of the possible deliverables in the round of the dialogue next year.
Ends/Friday, November 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:48
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