On 1 September, the International Campaign for Tibet intensified its government relations work at the European Union by opening a Branch Office in Brussels, Belgium. The new office marks what ICT-Europe’s Executive Director, Ms Tsering Jampa called “a significant boost to ICT’s efforts to place Tibet at the heart of the EU’s China policy.”

Speaking from the Amsterdam office of ICT-Europe, Ms Jampa added that “ICT’s presence in Brussels is a major contribution to the Tibetan lobby efforts at the EU and sends a strong signal to the EU and to the Chinese government that they must address the Tibet issue seriously. Resolving the Tibetan issue peacefully is not only in the interests of the Tibetans, but also China and the region as a whole. The EU has an important role to play in that process.”

The Brussels-based ICT Europe office will be led by EU Policy Director, Mr. Vincent Metten. Formerly employed at the European Commission as an expert on Security Issues, including Space Policy and Non-Proliferation of WMD, Mr. Metten brings a wealth of experience and insight from within the EU institutions. He is tasked with increasing awareness within EU institutions of the situation in Tibet, as well as establishing new EU initiatives that defend human rights inside Tibet and ensure a more coherent EU policy on Tibet.

Since opening its Amsterdam office in 1999, ICT has built a strong network of support at the EU, including the Tibet Intergroup of the European Parliament and other Tibet related organizations in Brussels. ICT Europe currently has a significant number of Belgian members and in June 2006 held its annual Light of Truth award in Brussels, during which the Dalai Lama presented the award to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Herg? Foundation for their longstanding support for Tibet.

For more information on ICT-Europe and its Brussels operations, contact:

Ms Tsering Jampa
Executive Director
ICT Europe, Amsterdam
Tel. 0031 (0)20 3308265

Mr. Vincent Metten
EU Policy Director
ICT Europe, Brussels
11, rue de la lini?re
1060 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 609 44 10
Fax: +32 (0)2 609 44 32