DHARAMSHALA: The EU expressed its concern over restrictions of freedom of expression and the situation in Tibet during the 15th EU-China summit in Brussels on Thursday.

In a press statement following the summit, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso said: “ On human rights we recalled that public opinion in Europe follows closely the situation in China as in other parts of the world, and, of course, in Europe itself.”

“We told Premier Wen that the Human Rights Dialogue with China forms an essential part of our relationship. We welcome that after more than one year the Human Rights Dialogue has been resumed. In our view it should deliver more progress on the ground. There is still room for improvement and we need to focus on that.

“The EU attaches great importance to the respect for fundamental freedoms in China as in other parts of the world. We recognize the tremendous progress achieved in China by lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. But there are also concerns, in particular regarding restrictions of freedom of expression and the situation in Tibet,” the two top officials said.