In addition, most of the UAE’s nine officials, including the president and the ruler of the Abu Dhabi, whom she is supposed to call on are yet to be finalized and chances of arranging appointments with them are very slim, said three knowledgeable sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). [break]
Also, she is visiting the country with no such agenda befitting her portfolio.
“She is flying today for UAE but most of the appointments are yet to be finalized and the inviter is said to be away now,” said a source adding that the visit was not wanted by the host country now.
UAE Foreign Minister Anhyan had extended a courtesy invitation to Koirala when he had come to Nepal on a private goodwill visit in June last year.
Only the appointment with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed Anwar Gargash has been confirmed as of Tuesday evening, the sources said on condition of anonymity. Besides, some officials from the UAE Chambers and Commerce have given time to meet her.
Sources said that a memorandum of understanding on establishing a joint committee for cooperation between the two countries will be signed during her visit.
“Presence of the foreign minister is not necessary for the signing of the memorandum. Our ambassador in the UAE could sign that,” said the second source, adding that the memorandum is still being worked out.
The sources said that though the ministry was making arrangemnt for Koirala’s UAE visit for the past one month, the only appointment with the UAE state minister was confirmed on Monday and she flew Tuesday.
According to the sources, the list of officials whom Koirala wants to meet include the president and the ruler of the Abu Dhabi, vice president and prime minister, the crown prince, deputy prime minister and the interior minister, deputy prime minister and minister for presidential affairs, minister for foreign affairs, state minister for foreign affairs and two officials from the UAE Chambers of Commerce.
“There is no response from the vice president and the prime minister’s office while the crown prince’s office has responded to a request but the appointment has yet to be confirmed,” said the third source.
When asked why she is visiting the country while the inviter is not in the country and most of the officials she is supposed to meet have yet to respond, the source said, “You have to ask her. Perhaps, to see the country while she is still the foreign minister.”
Republica could not get Koirala’s comments as she had already left the country. Also, no one from the ministry was available for comment.
Knowledgeable sources said Koirala had asked to make arrangements for the visit.
She will be staying at the Emirates Palace Hotel, a seven-star luxury hotel. The UAE government will pay for her accomodation while the rest will be borne by the govenment of Nepal. Accopanied by Joint Secretary Dhananjay Jha and Under Secretary Arjun Pant, she is scheduled to go for sight-seeing of Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. She will return home on July 26.
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