Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote to Friedrich Merz to congratulate him on being elected Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
“Since my childhood I have felt a special affinity for the people of Germany,” he wrote. “Over the years, I have visited your country many times and deeply appreciate the support that people in Germany have shown for the Tibetan people’s nonviolent struggle to achieve freedom and dignity, and their interest in my efforts to promote human values such as compassion, the oneness of our humanity and inter-religious harmony.
“Today, the world is facing many challenges. I am confident that you will provide able leadership through these difficult times. May I add that I have deep admiration for the spirit of the European Union, emphasizing as it does the importance of the greater collective interest and welfare of all its members. I believe this co-operative spirit can be an inspiration to others, contributing to greater peace and prosperity in the world.”
His Holiness wished the Chancellor every success in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the German people, and in contributing to the creation of a more compassionate, peaceful world.