Cross party Group on Tibet Welcome Lord Steel to Parliament

11.00.00am GMT Mon 1st Feb 2010

Mike introduces Lord David Steel and Thubten Sandup

There was as special event at the Scottish Parliament last week as Lord David Steel and the new Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe Thubten Sandup visited the Cross Party Group on Tibet.

The meeting came at a vital time for Chinese and Tibetan relations as the Dalai Lama's special envoys prepare to meet the Chinese Government for a 9th round of talks which have been hailed by Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Ivan Lewis as an opportunity "to make progress towards meaningful autonomy for Tibet"

Mr Sandup met several MSPs including Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott before joining the Cross Party Group on Tibet who discussed Tibetan issues when and heard Lord Steel speak about his recent visit to Tibet.

Lord Steel has a 40-year association with the largest Tibetan monastery in Europe at Eskdalemuir just a few miles from where he lives. He has met with the Dalai Lama there, in London, and last year at his exiled base in Dharamsala.

Mike Pringle, Convener of the Cross Party Group on Tibet said

"I was delighted to welcome Lord Steel and Thubten Sandup to the Scottish Parliament on behalf of the Cross Party Group.

"Negotiations between the Chinese Government and the Tibetan Authorities are at a vital stage and the meeting proved really useful in bringing everyone up to date with current developments. David Steel was one of the architects of Scottish devolution while Mr Sandup is an experienced campaigner for Tibetan rights and I'm sure their experience will continue to prove invaluable in fostering improved relations between the United Kingdom, China and the Tibetan people.

"It is vitally important the representatives from all UK Parliaments and parties continue to work together to foster the dialogue between the Tibetan and Chinese authorities."