DHARAMSHALA: Tibetan political leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay yesterday met with members of the Czech Parliament in Prague on the second day of visit in Prague.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay began the day by giving an interview to Lidové Noviny, the Czech Republic’s older daily newspaper.

Sikyong then met Mr Jaroslav Sebak, member of Czech Senate, and three members of the Chamber of Deputies led by former foreign minister Mr Karel Schwarzenberg, who is also the leader of the opposition party, Mr Leos Heger and Ms Marketa Adamova.

During the meeting, Sikyong spoke on the current situation in Tibet against the backdrop of tragic self-immolation protests by 132 Tibetans and the Central Tibetan Administration’s efforts to reach out to the Chinese leadership to resume dialogue to resolve the problem of Tibet through Middle Way policy.

Sikyong and Czech MPs exchanged views on the Czech government’s policy on Tibet in view of its growing economic ties with China.

They also discussed the Czech government’s decision to accede to the policies of the Chinese government on Tibet issue. During his visit to Beijing in April this year, Czech foreign minister Lubomir Zaorálek signed a joint declaration stating that the Czech Republic is fully aware of the importance and sensitivity of the Tibet issue and will not interfere in China’s internal affairs. It said the Czech Republic has again confirmed that it sticks to its policy of one China, Tibet is an inseparable part of Chinese territory and does not support the independence of Tibet in any form. The Tibet issue provoked a debate in the Czech Republic before Mr Zaorálek’s visit to China. The opposition accused the left-centre coalition government of Mr Bohuslav Sobotka of having traded the defense of human rights in China for its money, which Mr Zaorálek resolutely dismissed, Czech media reported.

Sikyong expressed concern over the Czech government’s position on Tibet issue despite the fact that the country is known for its stand for democracy, human rights and equality.

 The Czech MPs from the opposition party assured Sikyong of every possible effort to support the Tibetan cause.

On being asked for the need for support for the preservation of Tibet, Sikyong sought assistance from the Czech and other European governments to facilitate events on Tibetan cultural performances in their respective countries.

After successfully concluding the first leg of his Europe visit, Sikyong left Prague and arrived in Belgium yesterday.

Sikyong will also visit the Netherlands and Spain.