Brdo, 31/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Brdo on Saturday 29 March 2008, EU foreign ministers discussed the situation in Tibet. The EU is calling for 'an end to the violence and asks that arrested persons be treated in conformity with international standards. It wishes to uphold the transparency of information and hence free access by the press to Tibet. The EU notes the Dalai Lama's recent public commitment to non-violence and to the autonomy, not independence, of Tibet. It calls for substantive and constructive dialogue which addresses core issues like preservation of the Tibetan language, culture, religion and traditions. The European Union will continue to pay close attention to the human rights situation in China,' explains a statement by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
On Saturday, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner denied reports in the German media that she had threatened China. She said she had called on the Chinese authorities so show restraint and not use force against peaceful demonstrators. 'We would like to see a peaceful reconciliation,' she explained, calling for dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama. I have never called for a boycott, added Ferrero-Waldner, noting that decisions about whether or not to attend the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Beijing could be taken at a later date. (O.J.)