Initiatives being made to accept EPG Report: PM Prachanda

Kathmandu, June 25: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has made it clear that initiatives are on for receiving the report of the Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG) through understanding of the two countries. He said that he initiated an understanding of that connection during his recent visit to India.     

Responding to the supplementary questions of lawmakers on the budget and programmes allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the subordinate bodies under the Appropriation Bill, 2081 in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, the PM reiterated that the Nepal-India relations and treaties would be moved forward on the basis of national understanding.     

Stating that regular contact and coordination are being established with the Embassy of Nepal in Moscow and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Kathmandu regarding the information on the Nepali citizens who have died and been held captive due to the Russia-Ukraine war, he said a task force has been set up to give recommendations for making the movement of Nepalis in Russia systematic.     

The PM added that talks are being held with Ukraine through diplomatic channels in connection with the Nepalis held captive there in the course of the conflict.     

Making it clear that the appointment of ambassadors would be done on a merit basis, he vowed to render it more systematic in the coming days.     

'Government has kept rescue of Nepalis in difficulty in a foreign land in priority'     

Similarly, PM Prachanda stated that Nepal's diplomatic missions abroad have kept in high priority the task of facilitating the rescue of Nepali nationals in difficulty in foreign countries and in their repatriation home to Nepal if needed.     

He said the Nepali ambassadors and mission chiefs had been provided orientation for making foreign employment dignified, safe and systematic, adding that arrangements have been made so that services like repatriation of the bodies of those Nepalis killed abroad to Nepal and securing compensation would be available from the Nepal's foreign diplomatic missions 24 hours.     

"Arrangements have been made for establishing easy contact through hotline service as well as website and social site, besides telephone service at some of the diplomatic missions. Shelter homes have been managed at some missions including in Saudi Arabia, among some countries. The missions have been running psycho-social counselling services targeting the Nepali migrant workers through direct and online means," PM said.     

The Prime Minister said that the Department of Passports has made passport distribution and renewal services more effective and friendly to the service-seekers.     

Likewise, PM Prachanda said that the government is committed to mobilizing Nepal's overseas diplomatic missions and their chiefs to the best interest of the nation. He also made it clear that the government can, as per the Guidelines on Appointment of Ambassadors, recall the ambassadors before the completion of their tenure if it deems necessary.     

He further added that the policy of appointing at least 50 per cent of ambassadors from the foreign services itself has been continued to keep a balance between political appointments and the professionals in the ambassadorial appointments.     

The Prime Minister expressed his belief that the ambassadorial appointment would be rendered more systematic, prestigious transparent, and based on capacity and job performance, making the Guidelines the main basis. (RSS)