Tibet Support Group Reassembles
On April 7, six MPs assembled to form the new Tibet support group, a parliamentary body which has been active since Estonia regained its independence in 1992.
Andres Herkel of IRL was once again elected as chairman of the group, having fulfilled the same duties in from 2003 to 2007. In 2007, he was succeeded by Aleksei Lotman of the Green Party. Social Democrat Kalvi Kõva was elected deputy chairman.
The members also met with the head of the Institute of Buddhism, Sven Grünberg, who gave an overview of preparations made for welcoming the Dalai Lama in Estonia in August 2011. The members of the support group acknowledged the work done and pledged to continue where former members had left off.
It was also announced at the meeting that Thubten Samdup, the envoy of the Dalai Lama in Northern Europe, residing in London, will make a visit to Estonia in May. His first visit was in June 2010.
Ingrid Teesalu