Press Statement of the Tibet Intergroup of the European Parliament
Friday, 3 March 2006, 3:00 PM
Dharamshala (TibetNet): A delegation of the Tibet Intergroup representing the major political parties of the European Parliament (European People’s Party, European Socialist Party, Green Party, Democratic and Liberal Alliance) paid a visit to Dharamshala, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile. They held frank discussions with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, representatives of the Tibetan Parliament in exile, the Cabinet (Kashag), NGOs and spoke to refugees who have recently fled form Tibet.
On 2nd March the delegation met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, during which the Dalai Lama briefed the parliamentarians on the progress achieved in the fifth round of talks between the Chinese and Tibetans. The President of the Intergroup, Mr. Thomas Mann, of the EPP-ED reiterated that the Tibet Intergroup “was fully committed to a process of real negotiations at the highest political level as the only realistic way to resolve the Tibet-issue to the mutual benefit of both Parties. “The Intergroup believes that the demand of the Tibetans for genuine autonomy within the constitution of the People’s Republic of China are legitimate and reasonable.
The Tibet Intergroup appreciated the assistance that the Tibetan community has been receiving from the Indian authorities and the Indian people at all levels. The parliamentarians were impressed that the Tibetan administration functions through a democratically elected Parliament and the Head of the Kashag, Cabinet. Through their interactions with recently arrived refugees from Tibet, aged 4 and above, they learned about the lack of improvements in human rights for the people in Tibet. Ms. Groner, vice-chair of the Tibet-Intergroup of the Socialist Group, after the meeting Tibetan organizations, said that “the parliament was committed to continue to assist the Tibetans to participate more effectively in different international for a.” She recommended especially political empowerment of women. Ms. Eva Lichtenberg, another vice-chair of the Intergroup stated that “the Intergroup attached special importance to the education and participation of Tibetan youth.”
The Tibet Intergroup welcomes the visit of His Holiness to Brussels this summer. The Intergroup is committed to do whatever it can to ensure that His Holiness will be received by the relevant officials of the European Union.
The Tibet Intergroup of the European Parliament was founded in 1989 and has been leading voice for EU parliamentarians supporting the Tibetans cause and for all the Tibetans in the EU.
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