Minister Rana urges EU officials to assist lifting air safety restriction

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 13: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, has urged the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, to assist in lifting the EU's aviation safety restrictions on Nepali airlines.

In a meeting between the two in Brussels on Thursday, Dr. Rana raised the difficulties faced by Nepali citizens due to the inability to operate direct flights to Europe and requested the EU's attention to resolve this issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a statement on Thursday. 

The discussions were focused on Nepal-EU relations, the EU's support for Nepal’s socio-economic development, and the continuation of the bilateral partnership in future.

The meeting coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Nepal and the EU which were established in 1974. MoFA said that both sides reflected on this milestone and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation.

FM Dr. Rana highlighted Nepal’s unwavering commitment to democracy, rule of law, and human rights, expressing appreciation for the EU's longstanding development support while also thanking the EU for its contributions to Nepal’s socio-economic progress. 

She also briefed Commissioner Hoekstra on her recent advocacy at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, where she raised concerns about the impacts of climate change on Nepal and called for climate justice. 

"She detailed the severe and unprecedented damages Nepal has faced due to climate change and appealed for EU support in addressing these challenges," read the statement.