The European Parliament Thursday passed a resolution condemning the "brutal repression" by China in last month's crackdown on Tibetan protests.

The resolution also said the 27 EU countries should adopt a common stance on whether to boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing-hosted Olympic Games in August.

The resolution, carried by a large majority, urged EU leaders to adopt a united stance on Tibet, including the option of boycotting the opening ceremony.

It also called on China to begin a dialogue with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama by August, and urged a UN inquiry into the events in Tibet last month.

The parliament has no decisive influence on EU foreign policy. But the resolution was nevertheless seen as exerting strong pressure on EU governments to take a tougher line towards China.

The parliament's president, Germany's Hans-Gert Poettering, declared that MEPs wanted the Olympics to be successful, it was essential for this that China recognised Tibetans' cultural and religious identity, and guaranteed free and fair reporting before and during the Games.