European, Japanese envoys call on Finance Minister Khanal

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 29: Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal held joint meeting with ambassadors from the European Union, Germany, Finland and representatives from Embassy of France in Kathmandu at the Ministry to discuss matters of mutual interest and ongoing development cooperation.

Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal, Veronique Lorenzo, the German Ambassador Udo Eugen Volz, Finnish Ambassador Petri Puhakka and representatives from the French Embassy paid a courtesy call on Minister Khanal on Sunday.

During the meeting, Minster Khanal expressed his gratitude for the long-standing support and cooperation provided by the European Union, France, Germany and Finland in the development process of Nepal. In addition, he said that the European Union has made significant contributions in the areas of public finance management, public procurement and human resource development.

Similarly, he discussed the cooperation provided by France, Germany and Finland in the areas of health, tourism, energy and revenue, according to a press statement of the Ministry of Finance. 

During the meeting, the ambassadors of the European Union, Germany and Finland said that they are always ready to cooperate with the government of Nepal even after the recent political changes in Nepal.

Similarly, Swiss Ambassador to Nepal Dr. Danielle Meuwly paid a courtesy call on Minister Khanal on Sunday. They discussed the matters of mutual interest. During the meeting, Finance Minister Khanal expressed his gratitude to Switzerland for being a good friend of Nepal and for its significant contribution to Nepal's economic development. 

He said that Nepal and Switzerland have similar geographical locations and mentioned that the Swiss government has made significant contributions in areas such as public finance management, professional training, provincial and local good governance, and capacity development. 

During the meeting, the Swiss ambassador expressed her happiness at being able to support Nepal's development process and stated that she is always ready to cooperate with the government of Nepal in the coming days as well. Likewise, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Maeda Toru paid a courtesy call on Minster Khanal on Sunday.

In the meeting, Finance Minister Khanal and the Japanese Ambassador discussed the current changing situation in Nepal, the historical relations between Nepal and Japan, and the assistance that Japan is providing to Nepal's economic and social development. FM Khanal said that the main task of the current government formed under special circumstances is to hold elections on time and that reconstruction and other economic and social development activities will be continued during this period. 

On that occasion, various issues, including the under-construction Nagdhunga Tunnel Project, Tanahun Hydropower Project and areas of cooperation, including the Koteshwor Intersection Improvement Project and the Programme for Emergency Rehabilitation of Sindhuli Road (flood affected) that are going to be signed in the near future were discussed, said the ministry.