2010 

26 February 2010

 

Mrs Irena Degutienė, Speaker of the Seimas, met with Mr Mingtao Tong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China. The meeting discussed bilateral relations between Lithuania and China as well as their political, economic, and cultural cooperation. The Chinese Ambassador referred to the resolution On the Position of Human Rights and the Situation in Tibet registered at the Seimas and showed interest in Lithuania’s standpoint on the issue. Mrs Irena Degutienė emphasised that Lithuania supports the common position of the European Union on Tibet. “Together with other European Union Member States, we advocate the dialogue between the Chinese authorities and Dalai Lama as well as peaceful settlement of relations that will enable to reach a sustainable solution and ensure due respect for the Tibetan cultural and religious identity,“ Mrs Degutienė said.

 

The Speaker underlined Lithuania’s concern over the situation of human rights in China. “Lithuania urges to respect human rights in Tibet as well as the cultural and religious identity of the region. Therefore, China and Dalai Lama’s representatives must hold an essential and constructive dialogue allowing for the preservation of the Tibetan language, cultural identity, religion and traditions,” Mrs Degutienė noted. The Speaker called for refraining from politicizing this issue and for accepting it as a normal and natural phenomenon of cultural diversity.