During the meeting at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Thapa questioned the envoy on how the Nepal’s constitutional issue surfaced in the joint statement.
In return, envoy Teerink said that she was surprised by the language used in the statement.
“It is not for the first time that Nepal was named in statements,” she said, “Our intention was not to offend. I am surprised by the wordings.”
The joint statement by India and EU after the conclusion of 13th EU-India summit held in Brussels last week said that India and EU have agreed on the need for a lasting and inclusive constitutional settlement in Nepal that will address the remaining constitutional issues in a time bound manner, and promote political stability and economic growth.
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Nepal has already condemned the statement saying that it not only hurts the sentiments of the people of Nepal but also defies the fundamental principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of a country, and is in breach of the UN Charter and the norms of international law.
Envoy Teerink reiterated that EU is not for offending Nepal when questioned whether EU’s view on Nepal’s constitution has changed.
Following the promulgation of the new constitution, the EU had described it as a historic event marking the culmination of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
“We still support the constitution,” Teerink said while trying to convince DPM Thapa.
DPM Thapa told the envoy that constitution is Nepal’s international affairs.
“It’s our internal problem and we are capable of seeking a solution ourselves,” said Thapa, “External medaling over the constitution is unacceptable.”
