Brussels, March 21: The European Parliament's foreign affairs committee is due to discuss the crisis next week in Tibet in a meeting with the speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, Karma Chopel.

European politicians have so far reacted cautiously to the violence in Tibet, urging both sides to show restraint and insisting that a boycott of the impending Olympic Games in Beijing would not be the best way to respond to the crisis.

On Monday the president of the European parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, said, "Tibetan protesters should demonstrate peacefully, while the Chinese response has to be measured and never disproportional."

The Games will "be an opportunity for China to demonstrate that a country hosting the world's most important sports event is committed to internationally recognised human rights standards including the respect of minorities and freedom of religion," Poettering said.

The meeting with Chopel, scheduled Wednesday, is not expected to lead to any political decisions.