Cabinet objects EU-India statement

Kathmandu, April 1: The meeting of the Council of Ministers today has concluded that a joint statement issued by the European Union (EU) and India after the 13th EU-India Summit in Brussels on March 30 calling for lasting and inclusive constitutional settlement in Nepal was irrelevant and against the provision of UN charter.

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday issued a press release and expressed its serious concerns on the issue saying that it was against the sovereign power of issuing a constitution through democratic process.

The MoFA press statement says that the joint statement has not only hurt the sentiments of the people of Nepal but also defies the fundamental principle of non-interference in internal affairs of a country in breach of UN Charter and norms of international law.

The government had also called on all to fully respect the sovereign and democratic rights of the people of Nepal and refrain from making uncalled for statements.

Minister for Information and Communications Sherdhan Rai who is also the spokesperson of the government said that the meeting held serious discussions on the issues and made this decision.

Minister Rai further informed that the meeting concluded that the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s China visit was a historical adding that the agreement signed with China on transit, transport, hydropower, increasing investment, construction of airports among others had a historical importance for the development of Nepal.

The meeting has decided to submit the Bill 2072 formulated to amend Local Body (Election Work Procedure) Act, 2048 to the respective committee of the cabinet to table it at Legislature-Parliament.

Minister Rai said that consensus have been given in principle to formulate bills related to the formation of the Constitutional Commission, the Muslim Commission, the National Inclusive Commission, the Dalit Commission and the Aadivasi Janajati Commission as per the constitution.