Press Release
Hon. Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba continued her official engagements in Brussels today. Earlier today, she had separate meetings with His Excellency Mr. Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, and His Excellency Mr. Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships at the European Commission.
During the meeting with Mr. Hoekstra, the two sides discussed the various aspects of Nepal-EU relations, focusing on climate change, the development of Nepal’s clean energy, and Nepal’s leadership on the mountain agenda. The disproportionate impact of climate change on Nepal and the country’s vulnerability to climate-induced disasters also figured during the discussions. The Foreign Minister also called for the EU’s continued support for funding, technology transfer, and capacity-building for mitigation and adaptation efforts.
In the second meeting with Mr. Síkela, the discussion focused on economic relations, development cooperation, and particularly Nepal’s request for the EU’s support for ensuring smooth, sustainable and irreversible graduation of Nepal from the LDC category.
Particularly, the Hon. Foreign Minister requested a longer transition period on trade-related concessions from the EU after Nepal’s graduation in 2026. The two sides also took stock of the processes for Nepal’s access to the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) after the LDC graduation. The Foreign Minister also requested for lifting of the ban on Nepali airlines from the EU’s grey list.
Also today, Mr. Maciej Popowski, Director-General of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations called on the Hon. Minister.
Nepal and the EU have enjoyed close, cordial and friendly relations ever since the establishment of Nepal’s diplomatic ties with the European Commission in 1974. The EU is an important development partner of Nepal. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two sides.
Embassy of Nepal
Brussels
12 December 2024
