According to a statement issued by the embassy of Nepal in Tokiyo, Singh and Nikai exchanged opinions on bilateral relations and ways and means of further promoting bilateral relations between Nepal and Japan. [break]
During the meeting apprised Mr. Nikai on the prevailing political situation in Nepal and preparations being made by the Government of Nepal and political parties for holding elections to the second Constituent Assembly at the earliest in order to promulgate a new constitution that could institutionalise the political gains of the last few years. Singh is currently visiting Japan.
“Singh told Nikai that Nepal expected greater co-operation from the government of Japan and increased investments from the private sector in view of rising expectations of the people of Nepal. He also expressed the desire of his party, Nepali Congress, to have a closer relation with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),” reads the statement.
Nikai, a ranking leader of the ruling party, LDP, has served as Minister in charge of Economy, Trade and Industry and has been closely involved in strengthening Japan`s bilateral and multilateral ties with Nepal for many years. He had played an important role in facilitating the flight of the Nepal Airlines to Osaka and is also the President of the All Nippon Tourism Agency.
Meanwhile, NC leader Singh had a separate meeting with the Director-General of International Relations Department of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Mr. Yuji Fujimoto at the DPJ party headquarters on Monday.
“The two sides exchanged ideas on bilateral co-operation and political situation in Nepal. Fujimoto referred to the official visit made by Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba in April 2012 when the DPJ was still in power and expressed the determination of his party to support any measure that could enhance bilateral ties with Nepal and promote peace and democratization and over-all socio-economic development of Nepal,” the statement further said. On June 10 itself, Singh met with the Deputy Secretary-General of the LDP`s International Affairs Department Hisayuki Fujii, at the party headquarters of the LDP.
During the meeting, Fujii had acquired information from Singh about the political situation in Nepal and status of economic development. “He also told Singh that in view of the fact that in his country’s projection Nepal would soon become an emerging economy if its available resources were optimally exploited, Japan expected Nepal to come out of the political instability soon through early elections and promulgation of the new constitution,” embassy said in a statement.
Singh gave a resume of the latest political situation in Nepal and thanked the people and government of Japan for their constant commitment to help Nepal for all these years.
“He expressed his determination that the country would go to elections by November this year and the political parties were committed to promulgate a new constitution that could accommodate multiparty democracy, federal set-up, inclusion and human rights,” the statement said.
NC leader Singh sought support from the Japanese private sector in promoting investments in Nepal to boost bilateral economic co-operation and trade. Nepalese ambassador to Japan Madan Kumar Bhattarai was also present during the meetings.
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