KATHMANDU, Feb 9: The European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Singha Durbar on Wednesday. Various matters related to Nepal-EU cooperation were discussed during the meeting on Wednesday, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Foreign Minister Dr Bimala Rai Paudyal hosted a working luncheon in honor of the visiting European Commissioner. During the conversation, Foreign Minister Dr Paudyal stated that the European Union is a major provider of development assistance, most of which comes as budgetary support.

Dr Paudyal conveyed Nepal’s appreciation of the EU’s cooperation in the priority areas of rural development, renewable energy, drinking water, forest and agriculture, among others. Mentioning the Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development (GRID) strategy adopted by the Government of Nepal in 2021, Foreign Minister highlighted that the Strategy has been put forth to systematically address the twin developmental challenges posed by the adverse impacts of Covid 19 pandemic on the one hand and vulnerability to climate change, on the other.

The EU Commissioner discussed the new phase of the EU’s cooperation programme for Nepal under Multi-Annual Indicative Programme 2021-27 and the priority areas, including renewable energy, energy security and access to clean energy, water and sanitation as well as human capital development. “The two sides discussed trade and investment as crucial components of Nepal-EU relationship,” the MoFA said in the statement.

Both sides underlined the importance of multilateralism with the United Nations at its center. The EU Commissioner also paid a courtesy call on President Bhandari before wrapping up her one-day visit to Nepal in the evening.

 
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