Issuing separate press statements, they expressed confidence that the last minute deal among the big three parties to extend CA term will pave way to expedite constitution drafting and peace process. [break]
The EU members -- Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and the European Union Delegation -- as well as Norway and Switzerland said the extension will give a fresh impetus to drafting of new constitution on time.
“We welcome the political parties´ last minute agreement to extend the tenure of the Constituent Assembly for further 12 months,” a joint statement said. “We share the hope of the Nepali people that the difficulties of recent months can be overcome and that the parties will now give fresh impetus to drafting the constitution on time.”
The EU countries have emphasized the urgent need for the parties to work together, in the interest of the people of Nepal in a spirit of consensus and do whatever it takes to implement the Comprehensive Peace Accord.
Issuing a separate press statement, the United States welcomed the CA term extension and urged the political leaderships to continue dialogue to ensure final implementation of critical issues related to the peace process, including the integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist combatants.
“…with the goal of constitutional democracy in sight, we urge leaders to intensify negotiations on concluding the peace process and drafting the constitution,” the statement said. “We join the people of Nepal in hoping that their leaders will continue to demonstrate the statesmanship that is critical at this important time in the nation´s history.”
While welcoming the recent political development that extended CA term, the Government of Japan, in a separate statement, said it is a matter of a great regret that the process of writing new constitution could not meet the deadline as stipulated in the Interim Constitution.
“It is Japan´s wish that Nepal´s peace process which aims at consolidating democracy and establishing lasting peace in the country will reach to a logical conclusion through the peaceful dialogue and understanding among the political parties and that people´s age-long aspiration will be realized finally,” added the statement.
The visiting Members of European Parliament (MEPs) for Relations with South Asia also welcomed the extension of CA term.
Issuing a press statement before wrapping up their seven-day visit to Nepal on Saturday, the MEPs welcomed CA term extension, ending the current political stalemate. “MEPs support the commitment to complete the peace process and the drafting of the new constitution as soon as possible,” the statement said.
The statement added that political stability and consensus are needed in order to provide a basis for economic prosperity and sustainable development in the interest of the people of Nepal.
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