Brussels, 16/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Danish Presidency made the following declaration on 13 September on behalf of the European Union:
"On behalf of the European Union, the Presidency welcomes that representatives of the Dalai Lama are currently visiting China. The EU has long encourages both sides to enter into dialogue. The EU hopes that this visit will pave the way for direct dialogue between Beijing and the Dalai Lama, leading to a peaceful and lasting solution to the Tibetan question. The EU will follow the visit with great interest.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries members of the European Economic Area, alight themselves with this declaration."