Karolis,
>Which European colonies are in the EU?
The following overseas territories are technically part the EU. However, in
the case of the Aaland Islands, Guernsey, Jersey and the Canary Islands,
only certain EU legislation applies.
Finland - Aaland Islands
France - Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion
Portugal - Azores, Madeira (although neither are separate overseas territories)
Spain - Ceuta, Melilla, Canary Islands (although none of these are
separate overseas territories)
United Kingdom - Gibraltar (although not recognised by Spain), Guernsey,
Jersey
All other overseas territories of EU member states are *not* part of the EU.
See
http://www.eurunion.org/legislat/extrel/PrincipalitiesEtc/Islands.htm
for more information.
>2) Azores, Madeira, Canaries: are they colonies or contingous parts
>of their respective countries (like Hawaii and Alaska)?
They're technically contiguous parts of their respective countries.
>3) what is the legal difference between British and British Overseas
>citizens and what kind of passports do the latter have?
Full British citizenship is available to those born in, or having
patriality from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, Gibraltar and the
Falkland Islands (to whom full citizenship was restored after the war in
1982). I think Guernsey and Jersey actually issue their own passports, but
they're almost identical to British passports and confer the same
privileges. Full British citizenship entitles the holders to work and/or
reside in the UK.
British Overseas Territories (known as British Dependent Territories until
1997) citizenship is for all the remaining British overseas territories,
with the exception of the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, and until
recently, the British Indian Ocean Territory. This doesn't automatically
entitle the holder to live or work in the UK (or to pass through the EU
channels at ports), although in reality many holders had residence
entitlement through patriality.
BOTC is likely to disappear in the future as the right to full British
citizenship has recently been extended to all the overseas territories,
with the exception of the Cyprus SBAs. However, current BOTCs don't have to
take up the offer (although it doesn't confer any disadvantages) so it'll
probably linger on for a while longer. Incidentally, whilst full British
citizenship will give residents of the overseas territories the right to
live and work in the UK, there are no reciprocal rights for UK residents in
the overseas territories!
There are other types of citizenship such British Nationals (Overseas)
which was for Hong Kong, British Overseas Citizens for minority groups in
former colonies (e.g. Indians in Uganda), British Subjects for people born
in colonies before 1948 who did not adopt full British citizenship, and
British Protected Persons for people born in former protectorates
(e.g. Aden). These will eventually all disappear when their holders become
deceased.
It does seem like one big confusing mess, but it stems from the fact that
there was no concept of citizenship within the British Empire, and
different provisions had to be made for the different territories during
the period of decolonisation from 1948 until 1997.
Hope this explains things.
Regards,
Kevin Meynell