CTA delegation led by Sikyong Penpa Tsering including DIIR Kalon Norzin Dolma and Tibetan parliamentary delegation comprising parliamentarians Serta Tsultrim, Kunchok Yangphel, Ngodup Dorjee, Ratsa Sonam Norbu and Tsering Yangchen alongside CTA’s Finance Interim Secretary Tenzin Lekdup embarked on an official visit to Brussels and met Members of European Parliament (MEP), officials and other important dignitaries. This international visitation programme is organised by Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

The delegation was received by Representative Rigzin Choedon Genkhang of Office of Tibet, Brussels, and its staff. The members of the Tibetan Community Association, Belgium, representatives from various associations and around hundreds of Tibetans gathered at The Hotel, Brussels to warmly welcome Sikyong Penpa Tsering and the delegation.

With the delegation arriving at noon, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Brussels’s office hosted the welcome lunch for the delegation, which was also attended by Jules Maaten, Regional Head, European Dialogue Jena weber, Hunan Rights & EU Funding Manager James Moran, Associate Senior Research Fellow, Asia Director 2006-2011, Chief Negotiator for EU Partnership agreement, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).

On the first leg of the official visit to Brussels, Sikyong met with the Tibet Interest Group (TIG) members in EU. The meeting was attended by MEP Petras Austrevicius, MEP Mikulas Peksa, MEP Ausra Maldeikience, MEP Isabel Santos and Assistances of the MEPs. ICT Brussels Office staff Mr. Vincent Metten, EU Policy Director, and Ms. Mélanie Blondelle, Policy and Advocacy Officer also attended the meeting.

Later in the evening, Sikyong Penpa Tsering led TPiE delegation had a meeting with Mr. Alessandro Chiocchetti, Head of the Cabinet, President of the European Parliament along with his advisors and assistances. Successively, Sikyong Penpa Tsering and DIIR Kalon Norzin Dolma accompanied by Representative Rigzin Genkhang of the Office of Tibet, Brussels had a meeting with Ms. Heidi Heutala, Vice-President, responsible for Human Rights and Democracy.

At 6:45pm in the evening, the delegation had a very brief visit at the Office of the Tibet, Brussels with the Netherland Tibetan Community Association’s President and members.

At 7:30pm, the delegation headed to the Hotel for dinner meeting with liberal stakeholders and foreign chapters of Liberal parties. The dinner was attended by the following dignitaries: Ms. Kira Rudik, Vice-President, ALDE, Mr. Frank Hoffmeister, Vice-President, FDP Brussels, Ms.Tuuli Helind, Treaurer, LYMEC, Mr. Balint Gyevai, Secretary General, LYMEC, Ms. Anita Pannebakker, President, D66 Brussels, Mr. Laurens Heinen, President, VVD Brussels, Mr. Gergely Gathy, President, Momentum Brussels, Ms. Julie Szmaj, Vice- President, MR International and Mr. Alexandre Metereau, Rennaissance, Brussels.