European Parliament Discusses Current Situation of Tibet [Friday, 26 March 2010, 12:28 p.m.]
Brussels: During
the Mini-Plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels on
Thursday, the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) held a debate on
the current situation of Tibet reviewing the peaceful protests by
Tibetans inside Tibet in 2008.During the debate EU Commissioner
and Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Maros Sefcovic said:
“We have real concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet, about
the fact that Tibet has remained largely closed to international media,
diplomats and humanitarian organisations and also about the lack of
progress in talks between the representatives of the Dalai Lama and the
Chinese authorities.””The EU position does not leave any room
for misinterpretation. Therefore, let me stress: the EU respects the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, including Tibet. We
respect the ‘one China’ policy.”*However, we have always
supported peaceful reconciliation through dialogue between the Chinese
authorities and the representatives of the Dalai Lama. This dialogue
has to be constructive and substantive, addressing all core issues such
as the preservation of Tibet’s unique culture, religion and traditions
and the need to achieve a system of meaningful autonomy for Tibet
within the Chinese Constitution.””The dialogue should also
address the participation of all Tibetans in decision-making. For the
EU, Tibet is a human rights issue. We have consistently passed this
message on to our Chinese counterparts and listened carefully to their
views, and we make every effort to understand their position in a
spirit of mutual respect.””But human rights are universal, and
the situation in Tibet is a legitimate concern for the international
community, a point that we regularly make to our Chinese interlocutors.””In
the Sino-Tibetan dialogue, the Tibetan side has recently submitted an
updated memorandum on genuine autonomy for the future of Tibet. We
welcome that the Tibetan side has reiterated its firm commitment not to
seek separation or independence.””We are also pleased that the
Dalai Lama remains committed to the middle-way approach and to dialogue
as the only means for achieving a mutually acceptable and lasting
solution.””The EU welcomes the fact that both parties continue
to hold talks even if we note with regret the lack of results and the
lack of momentum.””Let me conclude by appealing to the
representatives of the two sides to continue and intensify the dialogue
with an open spirit and with a view to achieving a durable solution in
Tibet. From our side I can guarantee the EU’s wholehearted support to
such a process.”MEPs Call For Appointment of EU Special Envoy For Tibet While
expressing concern over the current situation in Tibet the MEPs called
for the appointment of an EU Special Envoy for Tibet, a meeting between
High Representative Baroness Ashton and His Holiness the Dalai Lama and
to send an investigation team to Tibet.
