The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, France, today adopted a resolution on the Dialogue between the Chinese Government and Envoys of the Dalai Lama. The comprehensive resolution includes recommendations to the European Union on a more vigorous approach in support of the dialogue and, specifically, “urges the government of the People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama to continue and resume, notwithstanding their differences on certain substantive issues, the dialogue without preconditions and in a forward-looking manner that allows for pragmatic solutions that respects the territorial integrity of China and fulfils the aspirations of the Tibetan people.” The resolution demonstrates continued EP interest in the progress of the dialogue and a heightened interest in the EU taking a facilitating role, including in collaboration with the US and other non-EU countries.

The Canadian Parliament, meeting in the Capitol city of Ottawa, toady adopted a motion by unanimous consent that “urges the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the representatives of Tibet’s government in exile, notwithstanding their differences on Tibet’s historical relationship with China, to continue their dialogue in a forward-looking manner that will lead to pragmatic solutions that respect the Chinese constitutional framework, the territorial integrity of China and fulfill the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a unified and genuinely autonomous Tibet.” The motion was introduced by Ms. Peggy Nash, a Member of Parliament from Toronto where most Tibetans in Canada reside. The draft resolution has been championed by Senator Consiglio Di Nino, Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, as an initiative that parliamentarians around the world could take up in their own legislatures. “The coordinated actions of democratically elected bodies representing hundreds of millions of people would demonstrate an unprecedented level of solidarity for achieving a negotiates solution for Tibet,” Di Nino said.

Mary Beth Markey, ICT Vice President for International Advocacy, called today’s parliamentary actions, “expressions of significant, long-term engagement in the dialogue process and high expectation that the dialogue can produce a solution for Tibet that is mutually acceptable, or as Beijing would say, a ‘win-win solution’ for China and Tibet.”

European Parliament resolution

JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure

by

on behalf of

on the Dialogue between the Chinese Government and Envoys of the Dalai Lama

The European Parliament,

– Having regard to its resolution of 26 October 2006 on Tibet,

– Having regard to its resolution of 7 September 2006 on EU-China relations,

– Having regard to the 22 February 2006 declaration by the Presidency which states that the European Union strongly supports the dialogue between the Chinese government and envoys of the Dalai Lama and hopes that both parties will be willing to address in good faith substantive issues in order to find pragmatic solutions which can contribute to a peaceful and sustainable settlement for Tibet that both sides agree upon,

– Having regard to the 15 December 2005 statement by Gunter Verheugen,Vice-President of the European Commission, on behalf of Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner whereas the Commission hopes that a solution to the Tibet question will be found soon that is compatible with the Chinese sovereignty and the respects of the Tibetan population, and that the only alternative to reach this ultimate goal is a peaceful process based on open and direct dialogue that is not subject to any precondition,

– Having regard to the previous five rounds of dialogue between the government of the People’€™s Republic of China and Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, launched in September 2002,

  1. Welcoming the commitment of the government of the People’s Republic of Chinaand His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resolve the Tibet question through a process of dialogue,

  2. Pointing out that there are differences on substantive issues, and in particular that the two parties have been unable to reach a common understanding on the historical relationship between Tibet and China,

  3. Taking note of the concerns of the government of the People’s Republic of China for the unity and stability of China as well as of the European Union’s adherence to a ‘one China’ policy,

  4. Highlighting the Dalai Lama’sconsistent statements that he is not seeking independence but a genuine devolved autonomy for Tibet,

  5. Reaffirming and underlining the common ethnic,linguistic, religious and cultural identity of the Tibetan people and the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a unified administrative system,

  6. Whereas on 17 January 2007 in Beijing the negotiations for a new EU-China Partnership and Cooperation framework agreement have officially begun,

  7. Whereas the Dalai Lama has expressed the wish to make a pilgrimage to China and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile has made a request for a meeting between the President of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama which would build confidence amongst the peoples of Tibet and China as well as the international community,

  8. Urges the government of the People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama to continue and resume,notwithstanding their differences on certain substantive issues, the dialogue without preconditions and in a forward-looking manner that allows for pragmatic solutions that respects the territorial integrity of China and fulfil the aspirations of the Tibetan people;

  9. Welcomes the laws and regulations on regional ethnic autonomy adopted by the government of the People’s Republic of China, but is concerned that many of these laws contain conditions that impede or undermine their implementation;

3. Calls on the European Commission, the EU Council and the EU Member States to actively support the strengthening of the dialogue and, in the absence of tangible results of substantive issues and in consultation with both parties, assess what further role the European Union can play to facilitate a negotiated solution for Tibet,including through the appointment of a EU Special Representative for Tibet;

4. Calls on the High Representative/Secretary General of the Council to include in the annual CFS Preport to the Parliament on the evolution of the dialogue between the government of the People’s Republic of China and Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2007 and thereafter;

5. Calls on the European Commission to raise the question of Tibet and the resumption of talks between the two sides during the negotiations of the new the EU-China Partnership and Cooperation Framework Agreement and report to the Parliament on the evolution of the dialogue between the government of the People’s Republic of China and the Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2007 and thereafter;

6. Calls on the EU Presidency To adopt a Declaration elaborating the manner by which the EU could facilitate progress towards a peaceful and negotiated solution for Tibet;

7. Calls on the European Commission, the EU Council and the governments of the EU Member States to collaborate with the United States and other non-EU countries on efforts to facilitate the dialogue between the government of the People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU Council, the European Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President, the Government and the Parliament of the People’s Republic of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Canadian Parliament motion

That in the opinion of the House the government should urge the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the representatives of Tibet’s government in exile, notwithstanding their differences on Tibet’s historical relationship with China, to continue their dialogue in a forward-looking manner that will lead to pragmatic solutions that respect the Chinese constitutional framework, the territorial integrity of China and fullfil the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a unified and genuinely autonomous Tibet.