Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - As Angela Merkel begins her retirement, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to her expressing his admiration and deep appreciation of her leadership during the sixteen years she has been Chancellor of Germany. He described her as having been an anchor of stability in a turbulent world.
“You have stood by your principles, with farsightedness, and an ability to fulfil people's aspirations,” he wrote. “The steadfast strength of your leadership, particularly within the European Union, has been a beacon of hope and inspiration to the wider world beyond Germany.
“I have deep admiration for the spirit of the European Union, emphasising as it does the importance of putting the greater collective interest first. I believe this co-operative spirit could be the inspiration for similar unions in Africa, Latin America and Asia in times to come, contributing to greater peace and prosperity in the world.
“I have great respect for you and have valued those opportunities when we were able to meet. I hope you will continue to provide wise counsel whenever possible, especially when it comes to bringing about a more caring, demilitarized world, as well as in relation to taking care of this planet that is our only home.”
By way of conclusion His Holiness offered his prayers and good wishes.
