The official visit of the Dalai Lama to the European Parliament was scheduled next 3rd December, and will take place in Strasbourg, but "he would also be welcome in case he decided to anticipate his visit". Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the Assembly, made known the news in the margin of the works of the plenary, recently concluded in Brussels, by meeting Kesang Yangki Takla, minister of international relations of the exiled Tibet government. "China must immediately start talks leading to negotiations with the representatives of the Dalai Lama", stated Poettering. "I met the Dalai Lama three or four times, and the lady minister confirmed what he has always said: he is not aiming at Tibet independence but at autonomy within the Chinese constitution", to "allow its people to manage questions concerning it in the fields of religion, culture, and social rules". Poettering added: "The meeting with Minister Takla was an opportunity to realize in detail the difficult conditions existing in the territory. The constant restrictions imposed to mass media cannot be accepted. I confirm the request by the European Parliament to China to open up Tibet to mass media and diplomatic means".
