BRUSSELS, November 13 – The European Union should get serious about Tibet and push China to start talks with the Dalai Lama, the territory’s spiritual leader, without preconditions, European MPs said Thursday.
The EU should copy the United States in appointing a “special representative” to handle its approach to Tibet, members of the European Parliament said after holding a forum on the Himalayan territory.
Thomas Mann, chairman of the EU parliament’s inter-party group on Tibet, said China faced a “win-win situation”.
“The Dalai Lama is not calling for independence and China’s reputation would be enhanced dramatically if it were to illustrate its clear commitment to undertake negotiations with the internationally respected Tibetans,” he said.
MEPs also criticised the EU for failing to give a higher profile to Tibet in a summit with Chinese leaders in Beijing late last month.
Tsering Jampa, executive director of the International Campaign for Tibet, said the appointment of a special representative would show the EU getting “serious about Tibet”.
“It would send China a clear signal that the EU is closely monitoring the
Sino-Tibetan dialogue process and that it wants to see a time-line for negotiations,” she said.
“So far, the EU’s approach to Tibet has been without substance.”
China views Tibet as a part of its territory and opposes official contacts between the Dalai Lama and any foreign government.
The Dalai Lama, who has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959, argues that his non-violent struggle does not advocate Tibetan independence, but greater autonomy from Beijing.
