Brussels, Belgium: The President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay on the third day of his Belgium visit attended the Tibet Interest Group (TIG) meeting at the European Parliament yesterday.
Chaired by Thomas Mann, Member of European Parliament and the president of the Tibet Interest Group, Dr Sangay thanked all the Members of European Parliament who voted in favour of the resolution passed recently calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the Tibetan monk Choekyi and language advocate Tashi Wangchuk.
Briefing the parliamentarians on the Middle Way Approach, Five-Fifty vision and the workings of the Tibetan Democracy in Exile, Dr Sangay shared the success of the Tibetan diaspora in preservation of the Tibetan Identity and how the third generation of Tibetans growing in exile have exceeded the second generation in terms of their understanding of the Tibetan language.
Speaking of 60 years in exile, Dr Sangay added that though 60 years have passed, as a Buddhist and believer in reincarnation, Tibetans have persisted and so has the hope for Tibet.
In light of growing presence of China in Europe, Dr Sangay highlighted how the Belt and Road initiative very much replicates the same pattern of China’s invasion of Tibet, that saw military invasion under one road disguised in the name of development, peace and prosperity.
Dr Sangay also invited the parliamentarians to take part in the upcoming World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet, which is due to be held in April this year in New Delhi.
The meeting was attended by European Parliamentarians Thomas Mann, Csaba Sogor, Laszlo Tokes, Tunne Kelam and Moly Scott along with 17 MEP staffers and Representative Tashi Phuntsok of OOT Brussels and ICT executive director Tsering Jampa.
Set up in 1989, Tibet Interest Group have since played a pivotal role in raising Tibet issue and being vocal in support of the interest of the Tibetan people and for a constructive dialogue between the Central Tibetan Administration and the People’s of Republic of China. The Group had earlier called on the French President to use the opportunity of his China visit to revive the dialogue between the Representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and China.
Dr Sangay who is on his three-nation Europe visit will leave for France today.
– Report filed by Communication Officer Tenzin Lhakmon –
CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking with the MEPs.
CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay and Representative Tashi Phuntsok during the meeting with MEPs and their staffers.
CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay presenting a souvenir to Thomas Mann, Member of European Parliament and leader of Tibet Interest Group.
President Dr Sangay presenting a CTA souvenir to Csaba Sogor, Member of European Parliament and member of Tibet Interest Group.