New York  - The dispute involving China over Tibetan sovereignty can be resolved like any other conflict by the creation of "very harmonious atmosphere worldwide," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday.

Ban made the description of a hoped-for forum to settle the long- running dispute over Tibet at a news conference where he was asked for his reaction to a comment by the Dalai Lama, who had criticized Chinese oppression in his homeland.

Ban said the upcoming meeting in Istanbul in early April of the Alliance of Civilizations, which will be attended by US President Barack Obama, would be a "opportunity to discuss all the matters pertaining to differences of opinions and promote mutual understandings between religions and traditions."

"I hope by creating a very harmonious atmosphere worldwide, we will see the end of all the conflicts or difference of opinions, including Tibet issues," Ban said.

The Alliance of Civilizations, headed by Turkey and Iran, has been trying to bring together the religions and cultures of the world, particularly the West and Islam, which has drawn particular attention since the terrorist attacks against the United States in 2001.

The Istanbul conference will be the second important one attended by heads of state and government after a meeting in Madrid last year.

China considers Tibet as its territory and therefore an internal matter in any dispute.

The Dalai Lama, the head of Tibetan Buddhism, has called on China to respect the tradition, culture and religion in his land. He fled Lhassa 50 years ago this week and has been living in exile in India. dpa