KATHMANDU, Sept 23: Speaker Devraj Ghimire, who is currently on an official visit to Ireland, paid a courtesy call on President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins on Friday evening.

In the meeting that took place at the President's Office in the capital Dublin, discussions were held on matters of bilateral relations and mutual interests, said Tej Prakash Bhattarai, the Speaker's principal private secretary.

On the occasion, Speaker Ghimire said that high-level ties and contacts were deepening between the two countries 24 years into the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the Republic of Ireland.

Nepal and Ireland have been enjoying diplomatic relations since August 19, 1999. There have been high-level visits between the two countries in the past.

"The visit of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Ireland to Nepal in September 2019 has deepened the relations between the parliaments of the two countries," he said, adding that although Nepal and Ireland are geographically far apart, both are closer in terms of art, literature, music and culture.

"Both our countries share common values such as world peace, friendship and goodwill. Democracy, independence and rule of law are our shared commitments," he added.

On the occasion, Speaker Ghimire expressed the belief that a high-level visit would further strengthen mutual understanding, harmony and relations between the two countries. 

Stating that Nepal is graduating from a LDC status in 2026, Speaker Ghimire, through the Irish President, called on the international community to invest in the agriculture, tourism, hydropower, physical infrastructure and information technology sectors in Nepal.

He added that necessary legal and policy reforms were being carried out to attract foreign direct investment.

The Speaker stressed on collaboration between Nepal and Ireland in the global forums for combating climate change challenges. He also said that Nepali students are attracted to higher education in Ireland and urged the President for his facilitation in this.

In the meeting, the Irish President said that he was aware that Nepal has become a republic and was moving ahead on a democratic path by ending the monarchy. He mentioned that both the countries were rich in terms of natural resources.

President Higgins said the Irish people desired to go to Nepal to see Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world, and for nature tourism.

He expressed the view that works can be carried out in the agriculture, tourism and other sectors in Nepal through the Nepal-Ireland Friendship Group.

 
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