(BEIJING) - European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said Friday he was "very happy" China had decided to meet soon with a representative of the Dalai Lama.

"We are of course very happy with this announcement, the announcement that the Chinese government will now establish contact to a special representative of the Dalai Lama," Barroso told reporters in Beijing.

China's state news agency said government officials would hold talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama, in what would be the first known encounter since deadly unrest last month triggered a clampdown by China.

Barroso said China had expressed its willingness to discuss everything with envoys of the exiled Tibetan leader, except sovereignty.

"We have always advocated the need for dialogue because we feel this is the best way to achieve sustainable, acceptable solutions for the Tibet issue," he said.

"I think we should recognise this as a very important position of the Chinese government," Barroso said.

"I'm particularly happy that this decision was taken during this visit to Beijing. I believe that this also can create a better understanding between China and Europe," he said.

Barroso is in China at the head of a large European delegation at a time when Tibet has emerged as a top issue in Beijing's diplomacy with the outside world.

China has come under intense foreign pressure to hold talks with the Dalai Lama since rioting erupted in the regional capital Lhasa last month, spreading to other areas populated by Tibetans.

Beijing's crackdown in the Himalayan region, as well as criticism of its human rights record, triggered protests that have dogged the Olympic torch as it travels the world before the Chinese capital hosts the Games in August.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.