By Tenzin Menkyi
DHARAMSHALA, July 1: The President of the European Union Donald Tusk has urged Prime Minister of China Li Keqiang to resume the process of dialogue with the representatives of the Tibetan leader. Tusk was speaking to reporters alongside the 17th bilateral EU China summit in Brussels held on 29 June.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Chinese leader on Monday evening, former Polish prime minister Tusk praised “China’s ambitious reform process,” but suggested that this could be expanded to other spheres. “I expressed our concerns on freedom of expression and association in China, including the situation of the persons belonging to minorities such as Tibetans and Uighurs,” Tusk told journalists.
“In that context, I have encouraged China to resume a meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama’s representatives.”
In the summit, celebrating the 40th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relations, Tusk also said, “The 70th year since the end of World War II is a moment to reflect on our shared duty to promote reconciliation and cooperation in our respective regions,” Tusk said.
During Chinese Prime Minister’s visit to Brussels, the Tibetan Community in Belgium held a peaceful protest in front of the European External Action Service – EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy office in Brussels. They called for democracy, dialogue and dignity for all the Tibetan people.
A photo exhibition – Ways of Wisdom: Celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th Birthday – was inaugurated at the European Parliament on Monday to go on till 3 July.
To coincide with the European Parliament’s Plenary session in Strasbourg in July, the exhibition will also be on display at the European Parliamentary Association in Strasbourg building from 6 to 9 July.
The exhibition is organized by Mr. Thomas Mann, the Chair of the Tibet Interest Group and Mr. Csaba Sógor, two long time supporters of Tibet in the European Parliament. The International Campaign for Tibet and the Office of Tibet in Brussels collaborated on the exhibition.
