Bern: Sikyong Penpa Tsering interacted with members of the Swiss Parliament and participated in closed meetings with prominent leaders and senior officials of the Swiss administration on 29 April 2024 in Bern.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering was graciously hosted at the Swiss Parliament by the Parliamentary Group for Tibet, led by MP Maya Graf-Vice President of the PGT, MP Barbara Gysi-PGT member, MP Fabian Molina, Co-President of the PGT, and MP Nik Gugger, Co-President of the PGT.
Throughout the extended meeting with the Parliamentarians, Sikyong Penpa Tsering underscored the pivotal role of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and Taiwanese as intrinsic agents of change within China, “If you want to bring positive change in China, you need both internal and external forces, and we are the internal forces.”
Further, Sikyong Penpa Tsering appealed to the Parliamentarians on the significance of the historical status of Tibet in adding value to the Middle Way Policy. Sikyong also advocated for parliamentary initiatives aimed at addressing the prevailing situation inside Tibet.
In the growing climate of interest across Europe and globally in reevaluating their China policies, spurred by recent experiences, Sikyong Penpa Tsering implored Switzerland to adopt a more pragmatic approach in its bilateral relations with China.
In response, MP Maya Graf echoed the call for a paradigm shift, underscoring the imperative of historical context, and revisiting past stances.
The meeting culminated in a luncheon held within the parliament halls in honour of the Sikyong’s visit, attended by MP Fabian Molina, Co-president of PGT, MP Nik Gugger, Co-president PGT, along with MP Maya Graf and MP Barbara Gysi.
Rene Longet, Co-founder of the Parliamentary Group for Tibet also joined the meeting. Sikyong Penpa Tsering expressed gratitude to Longet for his unwavering support for Tibet and his instrumental role in the establishment of the Swiss parliamentary group for Tibet 35 years ago.
Accompanying Sikyong Tsering were Representative Thinlay Chukki and Phuntsok Topgyal from the Tibet Bureau Geneva, Chisur Jampa Samdho, Co-president of Gesellschaft Schweizerisch-Tibetische Freundschaft (GSTF), Thomas Buchli, Secretary of the Tibet Parliamentary Group, President of Tibet Community Switzerland and Liechtenstein Ngedun Gyatso Drongpatsang, Vice President Kalsang Kangrang, Namgyal Gangshontsang, Mayor of Oetwil a.S, GSTF Board members Lhawang Ngorkhangsar and Michaela Litzenburger, Bettina Eckert GSTF, VTJE Co-president Arya Amipa, and Selina Morell from STP.
On the evening of 29 April, Sikyong had a dinner engagement with the Speaker of the Swiss National Council, Eric Nussbaumer. Sikyong was accompanied by Representative Thinlay Chukki, Tibet Bureau Geneva and Phuntsok Topgyal, Tibet Bureau Geneva.
On the sidelines of the visit, Sikyong also gave media interviews with prominent Swiss local press.
Sikyong-led Tibetan delegation with MP Maya Graf-Vice President of the PGT, MP Barbara Gysi-PGT member.
Meeting in session with MP Maya and MP Barbara.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering with the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet, led by MP Maya Graf-Vice President of the PGT, MP Barbara Gysi-PGT member, MP Fabian Molina, Co-president of the PGT, and MP Nik Gugger, Co-president of the PGT and Tibetan delegation with others.
