In an historic trip to Strasbourg His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited its two European organisations; the EU's Parliament, and the 47 member Council of Europe.

As part of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's Speaker's Conference, the Dalai Lama spoke of the need for unity and compassion as well as the importance of education for the future of our societies.

In his address to a packed assembly populated by delegates to the Council of Europe representing countries from Armenia to Russia, the Dalai Lama did not forget to thank the EU for supporting his cause and that of 6 million Tibetans, and went on the praise the EU's spirit later that day at the European Parliament.