Nepal to hold envoys meet in mid-March

KATHMANDU, Feb 1 : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is holding a conference of Nepali ambassadors serving in various missions abroad in mid-March to hold consultations with them on promoting Nepal´s national interests.



According to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha, the three-day ambassadors´ conference has been scheduled from March 13 in Kathmandu. All Nepali ambassadors serving in various diplomatic missions will be called to participate in the first of its kind conference. [break]



There are a total 32 Nepal missions abroad, including two permanent missions and three consulate offices. The posts of envoys are lying vacant in five different missions.



“The conference will primarily focus on promoting Nepal´s independent foreign policy abroad,” said Shrestha, adding that MoFA is currently preparing itinerary of the conference to be held in Kathmandu.



Minister Shrestha said the issues related to country´s economic diplomacy will take center-stage in the conference.



“We plan to hold discussions on the problems and prospects for Nepali workers in various labor destinations. We will take necessary steps after identifying the problems and prospects to promote the interests of Nepali workers abroad,” he said.



Nepal government has identified various five areas including promotion of development cooperation, foreign direct investment, tourism, export trade and foreign employment as Nepal´s priority areas. Minister Shrestha said that MoFA is planning to hold a meeting with all resident ambassadors in Kathmandu “soon”. The interaction is expected help understand each other´s concerns.



Talking to a select group of journalists at his official residence a day before leaving for Hetauda to participate in the party´s general convention scheduled to begin from Saturday, Minister Shrestha, who is also Vice Chairman of UCPN (Maoist), said he will push the issue of national independence vis-à-vis Nepal´s foreign policy in the convention.



Shrestha pointed out the need for demonstrating appropriate skills on issues related to exercising Nepali people´s rights to self determination.



“The issues of Nepal should be decided by Nepali people themselves,” said Shrestha, who has put forth a different view within UCPN (Maoist) on various issues including the BIPPA signed with India. “But this does not mean that we should protest against any particular country. We can do this by keeping friendly relations with them all.”

Related story

FM urges envoys to promote Nepal in Europe