DPM Thapa meets UK ministers

Kathmandu, April 28: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa had a meeting with Minister of State Hugo Swire at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom on Wednesday afternoon.

During the meeting, the matters of bilateral relations, the development support from the United Kingdom to Nepal, the reconstruction process, and exchange of high-level visits were discussed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release today.

Recalling the historic visit of Prince Harry to Nepal last month, DPM Thapa expressed that this visit was taken by the Nepalese people and government with high interest and has certainly added extra impetus in Nepal-UK relations.

Such other visits at high political level would continue to take place, he hoped. He expressed that given the historical connection of Gurkhas in the two countries’ bilateral relations, and in the context of bicentennial celebration, that it was very opportune moment for the British Government to address all remaining issues related to British Gurkhas once and for all and do justice and give recognition to British Gurkhas for their tremendous sacrifices to the British interest and cause.

It is stated that the British Minister of State Swire responded that the British Government would make every possible effort to resolve the issue. He also assured of the increased political, moral and financial support to Nepal in the new context that has arisen after the promulgation of the new constitution in Nepal.

Earlier on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs held the meeting with Minister of State at the Department for International Development (DFID) Desmond Swayne MP at House of Commons, during which they discussed about the development cooperation between the two countries, especially, in the context of Nepal’s ongoing reconstruction process.

While appreciating the support of United Kingdom in Nepal’s development endeavours, DPM Thapa urged the British Minister to increase the support in order to help institutionalizing the political achievements made so far. He requested to use the British support through government channel as far as possible. He also hoped that the trade, bilateral investment and other economic cooperation would be further scaled up in days to come. Agreeing to Thapa, Mr Swayne assured of fullest cooperation to Nepal.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs was accompanied by Mr Tej Bahadur Chhetri, CDA in the Nepalese Embassy in London and Mr Bharat Kumar Regmi, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whereas the British Ministers were accompanied by other high-level officials.

In course of the visit, Thapa is attending the Book Launch Ceremony of special souvenir directory ‘Taste of Nepal UK’ organised by Nepalese Caterers Association (UK) in association with the Embassy of Nepal, London this evening.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Kamal Thapa had arrived in London Tuesday and is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on Thursday. RSS