Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala, who is touring Europe since last week, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre at the latter's office in Oslo, Monday and discussed on various issues of Nepal-Norway bilateral relations.

During the meeting, they also exchanged views on the impacts of climate change and developmental problems faced by Least Developed Countries (LDCs) like Nepal.

DPM Koirala apprised her Norwegian counterpart of the current political situation in Nepal including ongoing peace process and consensus building efforts of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM).

 

She appreciated the assistance provided by the Norwegian government to Nepal's socio-economic development and requested Norway to further the scope of bilateral cooperation.

The Norwegian foreign minister reiterated his government's commitment towards continued support to Nepal and wished for the early conclusion of Nepal's peace process through political consensus. Issues of women empowerment, promotion of human rights, extension of the mandate of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal and accession to anti-personnel landmine treaty by Nepal were also discussed in the meeting.

Earlier, on Monday, DPM attended a luncheon meeting hosted by Erik Solheim, Minister of the Environment and International Development of Norway. Koirala discussed various aspects of mutual cooperation and interests with Solheim over lunch.

 

Koirala highlighted Nepal's development endeavors and informed about the commitment made by major political parties to make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a success. Minister Solheim said that Nepal's peace process was remarkable one as it was a home-grown process and he hoped that it would reach to a logical conclusion.

In the meetings, DPM Koirala was accompanied by Hon. Mr. Ram Krishna Yadav, Member of the Constituent Assembly and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Dr. Chiranjibi Nepal, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and other members of the Nepalese delegation. Likewise, the Norwegian delegation was composed of H.E. Mr.Thor Gislesen, Norwegian ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Mr. Tore Torang, former ambassador and special envoy of Norway to Nepal's peace process as well as other high officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway.

DPM Koirala also attended a joint function organised by Non-Resident Nepalese Association and Nepalese Students Association of Norway. nepalnews.com

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