In March 2002, the Dalai Lama wrote to the Foreign Ministers of EU member states, asking that an EU special representative for Tibet be appointed. In a joint response at that time, and after careful consideration, the EU Ministers were unanimously of the view that nominating an EU special representative would not contribute positively to the situation. The response also made clear the long-standing concern of the Union about the human rights situation in Tibet.
The position was considered again by member states at the end of last year and it was agreed that the position had not changed. The Union emphasised that it would make full use of the EU-China human rights dialogue, and other avenues, to convey its concerns, and that it would also continue to encourage direct talks between the representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities.
Following the decision of the European Council in December 2003 that the embargo on the sale of arms to China should be re-examined, I held initial discussions on this matter with my EU colleagues at the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, on 26 January 2004. The matter has now reverted to the preparatory bodies of the Council for further consideration of the facts and issues which surround this difficult and complex matter. The GAERC will further discuss this question when this preparatory work has been completed. The GAERC will review this issue in the context of the EU's commitment to human rights and our overall relationship with China, as well as the broader regional and international context. A decision would follow only on a full and detailed consideration, and would require consensus among EU partners.
