Dalai Lama visits Slovenia

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

AFP
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Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (L) smiles next to Franc Kangler (R) mayor of the Slovenia 's second-largest city Maribor , in Maribor , some 150 kilometers from capital Ljubljana on April 5, 2010 . The Dalai Lama started a three-day unofficial visit to Slovenia during which no meeting with the country's top officials is planned.(Photo: Getty Images)

MARIBOR, Slovenia — Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrived in Slovenia's second city of Maribor Monday, starting a visit protested by China in which he is not expected to meet top national officials.

The Dalai Lama was welcomed at his hotel by city mayor Franc Kangler, Slovenian member of the European Parliament Ivo Vajgl and about 200 other people.

He was invited on the three-day trip by Maribor University, city authorities and a secondary school to deliver a lecture to young people on humanitarian issues.

The Dalai Lama was not scheduled to travel to the capital Ljubljana or meet senior government leaders.

He was however due to meet the leader of the centre-right opposition Slovenian Democratic Party, former prime minister Janez Jansa and other opposition party leaders.

China's embassy to Slovenia has repeatedly protested against the visit, warning it would damage bilateral relations.

China claims that Tibet is an integral part of the country and that any meeting with him constitutes interference in its internal affairs.

Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor said last week authorities "would show the adequate attention" to the Dalai Lama but did not mention any meeting with the Tibetan leader.