The Italian Parliamentary Group for Tibet reaffirmed its support to the peaceful resolution of Tibet issue. Mr. Gianni Vernetti, the president of the forum told reporters at a press conference held here that the forum has raised the issue of Tibet in the Italian parliament. The forum had been instrumental in the passage of several resolutions in the Italian parliament, including a resolution this year to stop the execution of Tulku Tenzin Delek.

Mr. Vernetti said that his delegation’s visit has been aimed at building ties with the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies and understanding the Tibetan community and the administration more closely.

“We are focussing our initiatives and efforts on the ways to pressurise China to enter into meaningful dialogue with the exile Tibetan leadership which seeks to chalk out an amicable solution to the Tibet issue”, added Mr. Vernetti.

At the press conference, Mr. Vernetti and Ms. Gyari Dolma, the Vice-Chairperson of the ATPD announced their joint hosting of a World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet in the Italian Capital of Rome next year. The convention, Mr. Vernetti and Ms.Dolma said, will be attended by more than 130 members from 31 different parliamentary groups for Tibet around the world.

Mr. Vernetti’s delegation comprised of Pietro Folena (Democratic of the Left), member of the Foreign Commission of the Chamber of Deputies; Luana Zanella (Green party), member of the Social Affairs Commission of the Chamber of Deputies; Maurizio Fistarol (Freedom and Democracy Party) member of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chamber of Deputies; Bruno Mellano (Radical Party), member of the Regional Parliament of Piedmont and President of the Cities, Province and Regions for Tibet, Mr. Ugo Papi, Coordinator of the Italian Tibetan Support Group and the Parliamentary Group for Tibet and Mr. Tashi Lama, President of the Tibetan Community in Italy.

The delegation had called on His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the first day of their visit.

The delegation also met with Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kalon Tripa, yesterday at the Kashag and discussed issues related to Tibet. The delegation also sought advice from Rinpoche on how to initiate activities on an international level to achieve Tibet’s goal.

The delegation leaves Dharamsala today.

Source: Phayul