PM Koirala meets EC President Barroso

Kathmandu, October 1. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso held a meeting on Wednesday.

During the meeting that took place at the EC headquarters in Brussels, matters relating to Nepal’s ongoing peace process, constitution-drafting, Nepal-European Union (EU) relations and sectors of priorities for assistance were discussed.  The EC is the executive branch of the European Union.

On the occasion, PM Koirala thanked EU for its continuous support and cooperation to Nepal in the ongoing peace and constitution drafting processes, and in the endeavours for attaining economic and social development, and institutionalising democracy.

Apprising the EC President of efforts being made by Nepal for drafting a new constitution on the basis of political consensus within the slated timeframe, the PM expected continuous assistance from the EU for the progress and prosperity of Nepal.

On the occasion, President Barroso stated the EU is assisting Nepal’s peace process and constitution-making as a trusted friend, according to Foreign Ministry’s Acting Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi.

“The EU is confident that Nepal would hold the election of local bodies after the promulgation of a new constitution,” he said, praising Nepal’s successful efforts in achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG).

Expressing his hope that Nepal would transform into a developing country from the least development country by 2025 AD, the EC President pledged the continuity of the EU investment in Nepal’s rural development and promotion of good governance and education sector.  On the occasion, he also vowed the EU financial and technical assistances in the minimisation of climate change-caused problems and expansion of an access to international trade.

PM Koirala who has been on a trip to home after attending the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York  is presently in the visit to Belgium and Luxembourg.

PM Koirala will attend an interaction programme with the Nepali community arranged by the Nepali Embassy here this afternoon. He is scheduled to leave here for Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, late tonight.