EU Lawmakers Join in Celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 81st birthday/ENG

2016. június 30./CTA/TibetPress

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BRUSSELS: On a warm sunny evening, bureau du Tibet, Brussels, held its annual reception at the Albert Hall Complex, a flagship event venue in the heart of the European quarter to celebrate the 81st birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

The reception was attended by diplomats, EU officials, Members of the European and Belgian Parliament, Parliamentary Assistants, officials of the Belgium government, officials of the EU institutions, Representatives of the Tibetan Buddhist Centers, Tibetan Communities, Tibet Support Groups, various international NGO’s, scholars and journalists.

The program for the evening commenced with recitation of prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama conducted by venerable Patrul and venerable Lama Zeupa of Yeuntenling Institute, a Belgium based Tibetan Buddhist center.

While wishing long life to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, a man of unique aura, charisma and tremendous influence, MEP Thomas Mann, President of the cross-party Tibet Interest Group (TIG) in the European Parliament said his group has and will support the Middle Way approach of the Central Tibetan Administration. He also made reference to the recent visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the US where he met high-ranking political actors including President Obama.

Mr. Mann also shared with the guests his experience of the Election Observation Mission to Dharamsala this year where he said Tibetans held fair and free elections with great passion. He pledged to continue his fight against torture, suppression and illegal imprisonment of Tibetan people and to undertake a number of actions in favor of Tibet that he said were his groups’ promise to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 81st birthday.

Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen, the Special Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in his address, welcomed all the guests to the modest reception on the occasion of the 81st birthday celebration of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and thanked them for their presence which is a gesture of great importance to the Tibetans in this difficult period of the Tibetan history.

While making reference to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s recently concluded visit to the US and quoting the White House statement after the meeting with President Obama, Mr. Gyaltsen stated in contrast to the US, some of you are well aware of the fact that the Chinese government has been strongly objecting to meeting between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and EU leaders. As a result, in Europe, there has been some hesitancy and reluctance to do so in recent years. His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his part does not wish to pose any unnecessary inconveniences and problems to any government. If such a meeting poses a problem, it is all right for him not to have meetings.

Special Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen also stated it is his impression and experience that the strength of Europe does not come from the size of her economy or the scale of her wealth but from the enduring appeal and power of her ideals, values and principles. These are human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

He concluded by stating “the tragedy-taking place in Tibet poses a compelling challenge to the principles and values of governments in Europe. It is my believe that the moment has come for governments in Europe to answer the call of one’s principles and values and to declare solidarity with the people of Tibet and to act on the issue of Tibet”.

The evening concluded successfully with a reception.

– Report filed by Bureau du Tibet, Brussels –