"We welcome China's recent decision to hold talks with the Dalai Lama's representatives. We encourage both parties to move forward with a substantive, constructive and results- orientated dialogue at an early stage," it said on Monday.
The declaration was to be released after US President George W Bush and European Union leaders hold an annual summit near Slovenia's capital Ljubljana.
"We are concerned about the recent unrest in Tibet and urge all sides to refrain from further violence," the declaration says.
Spurred by international pressure over seven weeks of deadly unrest in Tibet, Chinese officials met the Dalai Lama's envoys in early May for a day of talks which led to an agreement to restart formal discussions that broke off last year.
A seventh round of long-running talks between China and Tibet scheduled for 11th June has been postponed as Beijing focuses on earthquake relief efforts, an aide to the Dalai Lama said last week.
"We are trying to work out fresh dates in June," said Tenzin Taklha, deputy secretary to the Tibetan spiritual leader, confirming discussions had earlier been set for next week.
"This was before the earthquake. A lot of efforts are now going towards that."
Source: By DDNEWS
