Paris: The Office of Tibet, Paris led by Representative Tashi Phuntsok met with French Senator Andre Gattolin in the Senate and French National Assembly Deputy Elizabeth Toutut in the National Assembly on July 24 and 25 respectively.
The meetings came as a follow up to the meetings the Representative had with the French members of parliament earlier this month during the celebrations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday.
Gattolin and Representative Tashi Phuntsok discussed a wide range of subjects. Both recalled the French and Tibetan peoples relations in the past decades. From President Mitterrand to President Macron, Tibet has been a subject of much sympathy. The meetings between His Holiness and Macron 2016 was also recalled. Gattolin shared with Representative Phuntsok how President Macron received the message of congratulations to him by His Holiness with much happiness.
The Tibet issue vis-a-vis EU and China was discussed at length. The current instability in the global alliance has brought a period of uncertainty. China’s smart power has also ushered in a pressure of different nature to international politics. However, Representative Phuntsok once again brought to the attention of Gattoline the fundamental support of His Holiness to the EU vision, namely democracy, freedom, rule of law and justice.
The issue of reciprocity between China and other nations was an important part of the discussion. Phuntsok plainly explained the incredulous ways China’s offices deal with Tibetan French or Tibetan American in terms of visa applications. Not to speak of the condescending ways China declines to allow counsellor services to foreign nationals in China and especially in Tibet. The lack of media presence in Tibet is unimaginable under the diplomatic rules of reciprocity.
The meeting with Deputy Elizabeth Toutut was particularly aimed at strengthening Tibetan group in the National Assembly. With her initiative, His Holiness’s birthday was hosted in the National Assembly though the group was yet to be formed formally. Various ways of bringing other parties to the group were discussed.
Tashi Phuntsok also informed her of His Holiness’ visions and his support for the European Union. They also discussed the forthcoming visit of His Holiness to the Netherlands. Deputy Toutut enquired of the ways her group could help raise the issue of Tibet in the National Assembly. Both also felt that it is important to keep a close working relationship with the Tibet Group in Senate led by Senator Raison.
Representative Phuntsok was accompanied by Namgyal Samdup, Secretary, Bureau du Tibet, Paris.
-Report filed by OoT, Brussels-