No invitation to Dalai Lama, says EU Presidency

However, the Slovenian Presidency added that 8216;contacts with him the Dalai Lama on other levels were not excluded8217;.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on April 1 that the 27 EU foreign ministers would invite the Dalai Lama once a decision had been made by the Slovenian EU Presidency.

At the time, Rupel said that inviting the Dalai Lama to Brussels was 8216;doable8217; but would need to be discussed by Foreign Ministers from the other EU nations.

China has opposed foreign nations providing support to what it has said was the Dalai Lama8217;s attempts to split Tibet from China, in reaction to reports that he may go to Japan and Europe.

Rupel on Friday received special Chinese envoy Guan Chengyuan, who had a letter laying out Beijing8217;s position on developments in Tibet and EU nations8217; reaction to them.

In response, Rupel said that 8216;substantive and open dialogue with the Dalai Lama could form part of the solution8217; to the problem, according to the statement.

8220;Slovenia and the EU understand the urgency of restoring stability in China, but at the same time believe that the Chinese authorities could take more positive steps to address the situation in Tibet,8221; the EU Presidency said.