President Paudel to embark on official visit to Germany today

KATHMANDU, June 15: President Ram Chandra Paudel, currently in Geneva, Switzerland, will visit Germany on Saturday at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He is scheduled to hold official talks with the German President on Monday, according to Amrit Bahadur Rai, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Nepal and Germany established diplomatic relations on April 4, 1958, and have since maintained strong ties based on friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation. Both countries have residential embassies in each other’s capitals. Nepal established its embassy in Berlin on July 5, 1965, while Germany opened its embassy in Kathmandu in 1963. 

The 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2018 was celebrated with various programs in both countries. Dignitaries from both nations have exchanged visits over the years, contributing to the close and cordial relations. Notable visits include German Presidents Heinrich Lubke in 1967 and Roman Herzog in 1996, and Nepali leaders such as late King Birendra and late Queen Aishwarya in 1986, Girija Prasad Koirala in 1995 and 2000, and Man Mohan Adhikari in 1995.

Nepal mainly imports optical instruments, photography equipment, surgical appliances, medicine products, and vehicles from Germany, while there is potential for exporting carpets, honey, ready-made garments, pashmina, handicrafts, silver ornaments, wooden and bamboo articles, herbs, cardamom, and tea to Germany. Germany has also been a major export destination for Nepal-made carpets.

Germany provides assistance to Nepal in agriculture, urban development, waste management, small and cottage enterprises, poverty alleviation, physical infrastructure development, hydropower, renewable energy, education, health, environment conservation, and humanitarian support. Notably, Germany invested 200 million Euros in the 70-megawatt Mid Marsyangdi Hydropower Project and provided significant aid following the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake.

There is potential for German investment in Nepal’s agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, physical infrastructure development, food processing, information technology, education, and transportation sectors. Germany is also seen as an attractive employment destination for skilled and professional Nepali workers.

President Paudel is accompanied by his spouse Sabita Paudel, Foreign Affairs Expert Dr. Suresh Chandra Chalise, the Secretary of the Office of the President, the Foreign Affairs Secretary, and Nepal's Ambassador to Germany. President Paudel is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on June 19.