Germany-Dalai Lama-Steinmeier
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was not officially informed of plans by the German Development Aid Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul to meet Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Berlin on Monday, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced here Friday.

Talking at a routine weekly press briefing, Andreas Peschke said, "Fact is that the minister was not informed in advance."
He added that the deputy foreign minister phoned with his colleague from the development aid ministry only after the formal announcement of the meeting between Wieczorek-Zeul and the Dalai Lama.

Meanwhile, deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg denied press reports which stated that Chancellor Angela Merkel had arranged or exercised pressure on cabinet ministers to hold talks with the Tibetan religious head.

"Every minister is free to decide for him or herself to hold talks with whom, when and where," Steg added.

Merkel and Steinmeier who is also Germany's vice-chancellor have been at odds over the policy towards China.

Last September's meeting between Merkel and the Dalai Lama at the chancellery in Berlin sparked a major crisis between China and Germany which was only resolved in January after behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts.

The Dalai Lama was to address a conference on human rights and religion during his five-day tour of four German cities later this week ahead of his trip to Berlin on Monday.