His Holiness’s Belgium Visit Ends with Programmes at European Parliament:ReportSaturday, 6 December 2008, 10:54 a.m.

From Right: President of the Senate Mr Armand De Decker, Vice-Premier Minister Mr DidierReynders, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, President of the House ofRepresentatives Mr Herman Van Rompuy, Vice-President Mrs Corinne De Permentier.

Dharamshala: His
Holiness the Dalai Lama successfully concluded his 2-day visit to
Brussels with programmes at the European Parliament in the morning and
at Belgian House of Representatives and the Senate in the afternoon.   His
Holiness was warmly received at the European Parliament by President Dr
Hans-Gert Poettering and ushered to President Poettering’s office,
where His Holiness signed the distinguished visitor’s book. The two
leaders began bilateral talk.  His Holiness also met the
leaders of European Parliament’s Political Group.  After a brief
welcome speech by President Poettering, His Holiness made a short
statement on his visit and then the floor was opened for
question-answer session.  While appreciating His Holiness’
commitment to resolve problems including the problem of Tibet through
non-violence, dialogues and negotiations, the Group Leaders put a range
of questions including His Holiness’ view on Simla Convention of 1914
and the British Foreign Secretary’s statement “regarding Tibet as a
part of PRC,” the meetings His Holiness’ Envoys had with the Chinese
leadership and the outcome from those meetings.  His Holiness
explained in clear terms about the Middle Way Approach and also the
Chinese government’s baseless accusation against him for instigating
the uprising in Tibet from 10 March this year and sabotaging the
Olympic Games. 

From Right: EP Vice-President Mrs Rodi Kratsa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, EP PresidentDr Poettering, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche.

His
Holiness said “if it is true what China says everything is fine in
Tibet, why Tibetans in Tibet protested against the Chinese government
more outside the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region?  Why the government
of People’s Republic of China is keeping thousands of soldiers in
Tibet?  Why PRC continue to bar foreign visitors and journalists from
entering Tibet?”   His Holiness asked the leaders to go to
Tibet and find out the actual prevailing condition in Tibet whether
PRC’s accusations hold any truth.   Tibetan struggle is the struggle of
six million Tibetans and not for a personal gain or restoration of His
Holiness’ privileges and status of pre-1959, His Holiness said, adding,
“Not a single Tibetan wants to restore the old system.”  EP
President Dr Poettering escorted His Holiness to the Hall where His
Holiness addressed the Plenary Session of the European Parliament
preceded by a brief warm welcome speech by President Dr Poettering.  The
text of His Holiness speech was distributed to the MEPs and His
Holiness gave an extempore speech explaining His Holiness’ Three
Commitments – Promotion of Human Value; Promotion of Religious Harmony
among the different religious traditions and explaining the issue of
Tibet. On behalf of the European Parliament, President
Poettering thanked His Holiness for His Holiness’ invaluable speech and
referred to His Holiness as “A Champion of Dialogue”. “The European
Parliament is also an institute of Dialogue,” he added.  Following
this, His Holiness and President Poettering jointly addressed a press
conference at the EU Press Centre with a brief question-answer session
at the end.In the afternoon His Holiness was welcomed by Mr
Herman Van Rompuy, President of Belgian House of Representatives and Mr
Armand De Decker, President of the Senate and a meeting between His
Holiness, the Presidents, political group leaders as well as
chairpersons of the committees took place at the Presidency. Later
His Holiness addressed the Deputies and Senators focusing on compassion
and how one can have peace of mind.  The floor opened for
question-answer session and questions were from Tibet’s environmental
condition and its effect on global warming, how Parliamentarians can
help to achieve a meaningful autonomy for Tibet and so on.His
Holiness gave befitting answer to all and the Parliamentarians
expressed their appreciation of His Holiness. Mr. Didier Reynders,
Vice-Premier Minister and Minister of Finance of the Federal Government
were also present during the visit of His Holiness at the Belgian
Parliament.–Report filed by Office of Tibet, Brussels. Related reports:Address to the plenary session of the European ParliamentIn Pictures: His Holiness the Dalai Lama addresses European ParliamentHis Holiness Underlines Youth’s Role in Preserving Tibet’s Cultural Heritage