Dalai Lama congratulates Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson
DHARAMSALA, 25 July: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has congratulated United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson and thanked the UK for its strong interest and support for Tibet.
In a missive addressed to the UK’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Dalai Lama has congratulated him and said: “I am also very appreciative of the strong interest and support that our British friends have expressed for the Tibetan people’s aspirations for freedom and dignity.”
Describing the ties between Tibet and Britain, the Tibetan Nobel Laureate said, “Historically, Tibetans have enjoyed a long and unique relationship with Great Britain. To this day we maintain close contacts with members of the families of British Government officials who were posted in Tibet prior to 1959.”
While Britain’s new Prime Minister took office with a resounding pledge to defy the “doubters and the doomsters” by taking the country out of the European Union by the end of October, the Tibetan spiritual leader reiterated his admiration for the spirit of the European Union.
“I have long been an admirer of the spirit of the European Union, according to which the nations of Europe, after fighting each other for centuries, decided instead to work together for the common good. Nevertheless, I understand the choice made in the 2016 referendum and I respect it,” the Dalai Lama added.
The octogenarian Tibetan leader has described the situation as challenging and expressed his hope that, whatever the outcome of impending changes may be, the UK will continue to enjoy an influential position in our highly interdependent world.
The Dalai Lama concluded by offering his prayers and good wishes for Britain’s new Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Johnson after assuming the office pledged to do in three months what his predecessor Theresa May could not do in three years- delivering Brexit by October 31- ‘no ifs, no buts,’ during his first address on the steps of Downing Street, CNN added.
