President Bush, walks to joint press conference with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barros, left, and Slovenian PM Janez Jansa, 10 Jun 2008

The United States and the European Union have called on China to have "results-oriented" talks soon with the Dalai Lama's representatives.

U.S. and EU leaders issued a joint statement Tuesday after meeting in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana.

Their statement expresses concern about recent unrest in Tibet and urges all sides to refrain from further violence.

Also Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel telephoned Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to encourage him to continue dialogue with the Dalai Lama's envoys.

The Dalai Lama talks to reporters in Tokyo, 10 Apr 2008

China's foreign ministry said China opposes outside interference on the Tibet issue, which it says is an internal Chinese affair. Beijing has said the Dalai Lama must halt what China says is his separatist activities and attempts to ruin the Summer Olympics.

A seventh round of talks between the Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese government was postponed last week because of the May 12 earthquake in southwestern China.

China's official People's Daily last week condemned the Dalai Lama and accused him of instigating bomb attacks in Tibet.

Some observers say China has hardened its attitude towards him as the world's attention shifts from Tibet to the quake. Chinese media report that Tibetan temples and religious figures have donated nearly $170,000 to the quake relief.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to arrive Wednesday in Australia, where he will meet with Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader also will meet with Immigration Minister Chris Evans, who is serving as acting prime minister while Kevin Rudd is abroad.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.