“I have always been a strong supporter of the peace process which is Nepali-owned and driven. However, many countries share our concerns that lack of consensus is seriously threatening peace at a very critical stage,” Solheim said, adding, “All parties need to urgently consider what is best for the process and sort out the significant outstanding differences in the peace process through consensus.” [break]
Solheim met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Acting President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala and Chairman of the CPN-UML Jhala Nath Khanal, among others, before leaving for Oslo Friday evening. He stayed in Kathmandu for nearly 12 hours.
Addressing a press meet before his departure, he also urged political parties to focus on implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and on writing a democratic constitution. He also reiterated Norwegian support to Nepal´s peace process.
Solheim, during his meeting with Nepali officials, said that Nepal will continue to be a priority country for Norwegian development cooperation with focus on education, good governance, clean energy and implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. But he cautioned Nepal that lack of progress in the peace process may affect development initiatives.
“Lack of progress in the peace process also creates serious obstacles for development efforts, including international development cooperation,” Solheim said before wrapping up his fourth visit to Nepal.
The Norwegian minister also urged the government of Nepal to request for continued presence of OHCHR, while advising the government that an exit strategy with benchmarks that addresses key human right challenges should be agreed on as part of renewal of the OHCHR´s mandate.
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