P6_TA(2007)0055

Dialogue between the Chinese Government and Envoys of the Dalai Lama

European Parliament resolution 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 [1],

- having regard to its resolution of 7 September 2006 on EU-China relations [2],

- having regard to the statement made by the Presidency on 22 February 2006 that the European Union strongly supports the dialogue between the Government of the People's Republic of China and Envoys of His Holiness 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 can agree upon,

- having regard to the 15 December 2005 statement by Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the Commission, on behalf of the Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, that the Commission hopes that a solution to the Tibet question will soon be found that is compatible with Chinese sovereignty and respects the Tibetan population, and that the only way of attaining this ultimate goal is by means of 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,

- having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. welcoming the commitment of the Government of the People's Republic of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resolve the Tibet question through a process of dialogue,

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

C. having regard to the concerns of the Government of the People's Republic of China for the unity and stability of China and to the European Union's adherence to a "one China" policy,

D. having regard to the Dalai Lama's consistent statements that he is not seeking independence but genuine devolved autonomy for Tibet,

E. reaffirming that the common ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural identity of the Tibetan people is to be respected and that and the aspirations of the Tibetan people towards a unified administrative system are to be encouraged,

F. whereas on 17 January 2007 in Beijing the negotiations on a new EU-China Partnership and Cooperation Framework Agreement officially began,

G. whereas the Dalai Lama has expressed the wish to make a pilgrimage to China and whereas the Tibetan Parliament in Exile has requested a meeting between the President of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama which would build confidence between the peoples of Tibet and China as well as in the international community,

1. Urges the Government of the People's Republic of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, notwithstanding their differences on certain substantive issues, to resume and continue their dialogue, without preconditions and in a forward-looking manner that allows for pragmatic solutions to be reached which respect the territorial integrity of China and fulfil the aspirations of the Tibetan people;

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

4. Calls on the High Representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union to include in the annual CFSP report to Parliament information on the development 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 Commission to raise the question of Tibet and the resumption of talks between the two sides during the negotiations on the new EU-China Partnership and Cooperation Framework Agreement and report to Parliament on the development 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 Council Presidency to adopt a declaration indicating how the EU could facilitate progress towards a peaceful and negotiated solution for Tibet;

7. Calls on the Council, the Commission, and the governments of the 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 Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President, Government and Parliament of the People's Republic of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

[1] Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2006)0465.

[2] OJ C 305 E, 14.12.2006, p. 219.

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