Berlin: The Dalai Lama has sounded an upbeat note on prospects for talks between his representatives and China, but acknowledged that a recent meeting indicated "large differences," according to an interview released today.

Representatives of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader held informal talks last weekend with Chinese officials a meeting that followed unrest in Tibet in March.

In an interview with the German weekly Der Spiegel, the Dalai Lama was quoted as saying that his envoys and the Chinese agreed to hold a new round of formal talks "as soon as possible." He added that a date would be fixed in the coming days.

"In the talks, there were large differences over both the cause and the nature of the recent unrest in Tibet," he said, according to the report. But "despite the differing opinions, both sides showed a readiness to achieve an agreement on a common way of proceeding in dealing with the problems at issue in Tibet."

He added that "concrete proposals" were made by both sides that could serve as "a basis for the formal talks during the next round" echoing comments made yesterday by one of his representatives. He did not elaborate.

The Dalai Lama was quoted as saying that the atmosphere at the talks was "pleasant ... The behaviour of the other side not aggressive, but respectful. But a breakthrough looks different."

Beijing has repeatedly accused the Dalai Lama and his supporters of fomenting the recent anti-government protests in Tibet an allegation the spiritual leader denies.

Source : PTI