Foreign Minister Khanal meets his Japanese counterpart

Kathmandu, Sept 22: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal and Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu held a meeting in New York, USA today.

During the meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York, Foreign Minister Motegi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the recent Bhotekoshi floods in Nepal. The Japanese Foreign Minister extended condolences to the bereaved families and sympathies to those affected by the devastating disaster, according to Minister Khanal’s Secretariat.

During the meeting, Motegi appreciated the Nepal government’s continued disaster response efforts and assistance to those affected ones. He also assured that Japan stands with Nepal during the difficult time. Likewise, he reaffirmed the commitment that Japan would continue its support to Nepal from the immediate emergency response to the long-term recovery.

In response, Minister Khanal expressed gratitude for the condolences and solidarity extended by the Japanese government and people following the disaster. He informed his Japanese counterpart that the Government of Nepal is making every possible effort for search and rescue of missing foreign nationals, including Japanese citizens.

On another note, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi reminded that Japan had been consistently supporting Nepal in strengthening democracy and advancing its development efforts. The Japanese Minister was confident that the upcoming ‘Nepal-Japan Festival’, scheduled to be held in Nepal in November, would further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

Motegi also pledged that Japan would continue supporting Nepal’s development efforts in cooperation with the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, said Minister Khanal’s Secretariat. On the occasion, Minister Khanal thanked Japan for its long-standing support and articulated Nepal’s readiness to further deepen bilateral relations as the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. —

Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal and his Portugese counterpart hold talks

Likewise, Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal and Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel held a meeting in New York, USA, today.

According to Minister Khanal’s secretariat, both sides expressed happiness about the friendly and cooperative relationship between Nepal and Portugal during the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.

During the meeting, discussions were held on ways to further expand and strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. Minister Khanal’s secretariat stated that they talked about making the relationship between Nepal and Portugal more dynamic in the days ahead, and advancing cooperation based on mutual interest. —

Foreign Minister Khanal meets Bhutanese Prime Minister Tobgay

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has paid a courtesy call on Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in New York.

During the meeting held in course of their participation in the 81st session of UN General Assembly in New York, they discussed bilateral issues as making intimate the relations between Nepal and Bhutan.

Foreign Minister’s private secretariat shared that the discussion also featured growing frequency and intensity of disasters caused by climate change. Both sides underlined the need for bolstering cooperation on climate action, as both were mountain countries. —