President Barroso's visit to Hong Kong and Macao

On 22-23 November 2013, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, will visit Hong Kong and Macao, following his first official visit there in 2005.

In Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the President will meet Hon. Chun-ying. Leung, the Chief Executive, and Hon. Jasper Tsang, the President of the Legislative Council. He will deliver a speech to the Hong Kong business community hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce and attend a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the EU Office's establishment.

In Macao Special Administrative Region, the President will meet Hon. Chui Sai-on, the Chief Executive, and attend a public event to mark the 20th anniversary of the EU-Macao Trade and Cooperation Agreement. He will witness the signature of EU-Macao Horizontal Air Service Agreement, deliver a speech at the inauguration ceremony for the Macao-EU Chamber of Commerce and meet with representatives of Macao, EU and Portuguese communities. The President and the Chief Executive last met in Brussels in January 2012.

During his visit to both places, President Barroso will convey the EU's attachment to the relationship between the People's Republic of China and the two Special Administrative Regions based on the "One country, two systems" principle. He will review the EU's growing bilateral trade and FDI flows with both S.A.R.'s and discuss their roles as two-way platforms for trade and investment between the EU and mainland China. The EU’s relations with both Hong Kong and Macao continue to be based on common values, a European heritage and shared interests in trade and economic matters, the environment, education, creative industries and culture.

President Barroso said about Hong Kong: "Hong Kong is a thriving and dynamic city and an important regional hub for trade and investment, thanks to its rule of law, freedom of information and expression as well as high transparency standards. The EU supports the one country two systems principle and in this context will remain a very close partner of Hong Kong. Our relations are strongly anchored in history but are continuously projected into the future."

President Barroso said about Macao: "I am looking forward to visit Macao on the occasion of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the EU-Macao Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This agreement embodies our commitment to the political, economic and cultural relations with Macao. We value Macao's specificity and its central role as a bridge between Asia and Europe, between China and the rest of the world. I will also stress my personal engagement to increased exchanges with Macao in trade, education, research and culture."

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