President Paudel and his German counterpart discuss Nepal-Germany relations

Kathmandu, June 17: President Ramchandra Paudel and German President Dr Frank Walter Steinmeier met at the Office of the President in Berlin, Germany.     

During the meeting held on Monday, President Paudel said that Nepal has always given high importance to its relations with Germany and expressed the belief that it would become closer in the changing global context, according to President Paudel's Secretariat.     

Paudel shared that he is feeling that organsations like socialist international and progressive alliance should be more active globally for social justice, human rights, democracy, rule of law and freedom.     

"Nepal is active to achieve national aspiration of sustainable peace, stability and development. I thank Germany for its support to Nepal's peace process. We are confident that there will be continued support and cooperation of Germany in Nepal's development endeavors", said President Paudel's Press Advisor Kiran Pokharel quoting the President.     

Sharing that economic development was necessary for the stability of political achievements gained by Nepal, the President expressed the belief that international community and friendly countries including Germany would help to fulfill Nepal's aspiration of economic development with their continued support.     

Similarly, President Paudel welcomed Germany's commitment of support at climate related damage and loss fund to cope up with effects of climate change for developing countries, adding there is common understanding between the two countries in international forums on many socio-economic issues like participatory and inclusive democracy, human rights, fundamental rights, gender equality and climate change.     

Nepal's current goals are to modernize agriculture, utilizing immense potentials of water resources and energy sector, speeding infrastructures development, utilizing tourism potentials and coping with negative impacts of climate change, mentioned the President. "Agricultural revolution, water resource and tourism development are must for Nepal's economic development. Nepal is therefore expecting support to it," he added     

President Paudel urged the German President to take initiative to help release the Nepali nations who are there for Russia-Ukraine war.     

Seeing the need for motivating the private sector to further expand existing trade, investment and commercial relations between Nepal and Germany, President Paudel mentioned that there was an enthusiastic participation of German investors in the recently held third Nepal Investment Summit. "The government of Nepal wants to welcome German investors to Nepal," said the President.     

Stating that Germany had been established as an attractive destination among Nepali youths for higher education, high-skilled jobs and skill-related training in the recent years, he expressed his confidence that the implementation of an agreement between Nepal and Germany on labour migration and exchange of knowledge signed last year would further strengthen the relations between the two countries at people-to-people level.     

Pokharel also shared that President Paudel expected firm support from the government of Germany to lift the European Union's ban on Nepali airlines including Nepal's national flag-carrier-Nepal Airlines- from flying over the EU-member nations' sky.     

On the occasion, German President Frank-Walter articulated Germany's readiness to provide all kinds of support to Nepal's economic development endeavours, Press Advisor Pokharel quoted the German President as saying.     

Expressing concern about President Paudel's statement on impacts of climate change in the last Sunday's meeting with German scientists, the German President said that Germany was serious about it and empathized with Nepal for necessary assistance towards this end.     

Stating that Nepal is an old friend of Germany, the German President mentioned that Germany had many things in common with Nepal at the United Nations and international Forums.     

The German President said that he understood difficulties of a country like Nepal. Moreover, he said he was positive towards removing the European Union's ban on Nepali airlines from flying over the EU's sky.     

President Paudel's visit to Germany is the first visit at the Head of the State level from Nepal to Germany since 1986.     

Earlier, President Paudel observed a Guard of Honour accorded to him by the government of Germany.     

President Paudel reached Germany on June 15 after completing the visit to Switzerland. He is on an official visit to Germany at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. (RSS)