Dalai Lama warmly received at European Parliament

The Dalai Lama rejected claims that he is seeking to separate his homeland of Tibet from China, calling instead for "warm-heartedness" and mutual trust between the two lands.

Tibet's spiritual leader was speaking at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels last Wednesday, to which he was warmly welcomed by MEPs, some of who decided to fast in solidarity with Tibet.

In a 20-minute speech, which received a standing ovation from MEPs who packed the chamber, the Dalai Lama said that it was wrong to view worldwide support for his cause as being directed against the Chinese government.

"Ours is not a separatist movement, I want to make this very clear," the Dalai Lama said. "It is in our own interest to remain in a big nation like China."

Saying harmony and unity could only be achieved through mutual trust and respect rather than under the gun, the Dalai Lama also welcomed the fast by some of the MEPs.

"But my fasting will only start after breakfast," he said with characteristic good humour.

European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering described the Dalai Lama as a champion of dialogue and said the EU was duty-bound to press China on the need to advance democracy, human rights, freedom of expression and the fundamental principles of human dignity.

The Buddhist monk's visit to Brussels took place against the backdrop of a widening rift between China and the European Union, which is accused by Beijing of pampering to the Tibetan cause.

Last week, China cancelled a planned EU-China summit following an invitation of the current EU Presidency, chaired by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to meet the Dalai Lama.