KATHMANDU, Aug 2: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Gyawali said that his visit to Portugal, Belgium and Luxembourg would help to strengthen bilateral and economic relations.

Debriefing parliamentarians during today's meet, Gyawali said that his agendas with all the three countries primarily circled around promoting tourism, bilateral and economic relationships and safeguarding rights of Non-Nepali Residents.

“The Belgian government has expressed its commitment to assist landlocked countries like Nepal,” Gyawali said. “I have also made efforts to expand Nepal’s market in the country and bring foreign direct investments.”  

 “At Luxembourg, I’ve sought its support until Nepal graduated from Least Developed Countries, and completed reconstruction. I have also urged them to address existing trade issues and uplift the European Union’s ban on Nepal airlines,” he said.

The EC blacklisted Nepal’s airlines for the first time in 2013 immediately after the International Civil Aviation Organization raised the red flag.  With the prohibition, all Nepali airlines operators are barred from flying in 28 nations, over safety issues.  

In its updated air safety list of last year, the EC said all Nepali airlines were still subject to an operating ban within the 28-nation bloc of the European Union as the European Aviation Agency found no change in Nepal’s aviation safety. 

Gyawali added that he had also met with ambassadors and NRNs. “By reaching out at all fronts, I hope that we’ll be able to bolster our relationships further,” he said.

Moreover, the foreign minister has also urged diplomatic missions to put in extra efforts to bring foreign investments while strengthening relationships between the two countries. With NRNs, he has urged them to invest in the country by making contributions in skills, knowledge and transfer of technology.   

 
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