Bolzano, 18 November: Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the political leader of the Tibetan people on his arrival in Bolzano today, had a lunch meeting with Dr. Arno Kompatscher, the President designate of South Tyrol.
He said he was visiting long time friends in the autonomous provinces of South Tyrol and Trento in northern Italy. The two provinces enjoy legal autonomous status within the political structure of the Italian Republic.
Dr. Sangay briefed Dr. Kompatscher about the present situation in Tibet and also thanked him for the long friendship and support to the Tibetan people.
Dr. Kompatscher pledged his continued support. He said he first met His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a student in 1997 and more recently during His Holiness’ visit to Bolzano in April 2013.
In the evening, the Tibetan political leader drove to Trento, the capital of Trentino autonomous province. He met with Mrs. Sara Ferrari, newly appointed Commissioner for International Solidarity of the Province of Trento and Mr. Bruno Doringatti, President of the Provincial Council of Trento.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay briefed Mrs. Sara Ferrari about the Telemedicine and drinking water projects financed by the Trento provincial government. He said that he had visited both the project areas in India.
The telemedicine connection was inaugurated between the Tibetan settlement in Mainpat and Telerad RXDX in Whitefield, Bangalore in late May 2013. Tibetans living in Ladakh are benefiting from the drinking water project.
During his meetings in Bolzano and Trento, Dr. Sangay said, “We are advocating to resolve the Tibetan issue through non-violence and dialogue based on the Middle Way Approach.”
Dr. Sangay said that the Tibetans are seeking genuine autonomy. The freedom enjoyed by the people of the autonomous region of Bolzano and Trento shows that autonomous status for the Tibetans within the framework of the People’s Republic of China is possible.
In responding to questions about the situation in Tibet, Dr. Sangay said that the situation on the ground in Tibet wasn’t getting better. He said 122 Tibetans had self-immolated in Tibet, demonstrations against mining and dam construction continue in Tibet.
“I am very concerned about the present situation in Tibet, as we continue to hear very sad news from Tibet,” said Mr. Bruno Doringatti, the President of the Provincial Council of Trento. “I wish to strengthen our relationship between Trento and the Tibetan people.”
The Tibetan Community in Italy’s President Mr. Nyima Dhondup and community members welcome their political leader on his arrival in Bolzano.
Tomorrow morning Dr. Sangay will meet with President Luis Durnwalder of south Tyrol and with Researcher at EURAC in Bolzano – Institute for Minority Rights and the Institute for Studies on Federalism and Regionalism.
