German leaders open to Dalai Lama visit

FRANKFURT, Germany, April 12 (UPI) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the president of the German Parliament say they would welcome the Dalai Lama back to Germany.

While China has attempted to exert pressure on German officials to cancel an upcoming visit by the Tibetan spiritual leader, Merkel is among several German leaders who have voiced support of another appearance, Spiegelonline reported Saturday.

Merkel said she will not be in Germany when the Dalai Lama visits next, "but I will certainly meet again with the Dalai Lama at a later point in the future."

Parliament President Norbert Lammert is scheduled to meet with the Dalai Lama, who is at odds with China regarding ongoing protests in Tibet, in the German city of Bochum.

Lammert reportedly has said he will not cancel the meeting despite pressure from Chinese officials.

The online version of the German magazine said Chinese officials are concerned the meeting will be seen by the international community as serious talks.