1. Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Mr. Prakash Man Singh called on His Excellency President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Mr. Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. During the meeting, they discussed the matters of mutual interest and the ways and means to further promote bilateral cooperation. The Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minister apprised the President ofSri Lanka of the recent political developments in Nepal including the promulgation of new inclusive democratic constitution on 20th of September 2015. His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka expressed happiness over the promulgation of new constitution of Nepal and expressed the belief that the relations between Nepal and Sri Lanka will grow further in the days to come. He said that both countries should look into the new areas of cooperation in the days to come. The President said that as SAARC member countries, Nepal and Sri Lanka will cooperate with each other in all sectors. The President also expressed willingness to visit Nepal.
Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey was also present in the meeting.
2. The Informal SAARC Council of Ministers Meeting was held in New York today on the sidelines of the 70th United Nations General Assembly. Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, as the current Chair of the SAARC Council of Ministers, presided over the Meeting which was attended by the Ministers for Foreign/External Affairs of all Eight members states of SAARC. The Meeting took stock of the status of progress achieved on the implementation of the decisions of the 18th SAARC Summit and the 36th Meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers held in November, 2014 in Nepal. An extensive discussion was held on reinvigorating the SAARC process for deeper integration.
The Council of Ministers approved Nepal’s proposal to coordinate among SAARC member states on issues of common concerns in multilateral forums with a view to projecting a collective SAARC positions. The Permanent Representatives of member states to the United Nations in New York and Geneva will be instructed accordingly.
3.Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey met with Her Excellency External Affairs Minister of India Smt. Sushma Swaraj in the margin of the 70th session of the UNGA in New York this afternoon. During the meeting, views were expressed on the latest political development in Nepal including the promulgation of constitution, and the efforts of the Government of Nepal to bring the agitating groups to the negotiating table. Hon’bleForeign Minister of Nepal expressed that the disruption of supply of goods to Nepal at border points hadbadly affected the daily life of the Nepalese people and urged his Indian counterpart for the immediate resumption of the supplies. He assured that the Government of Nepal will provide necessary security to the transporters inside the Nepalese territories. Hon’bleForeign Minister conveyed the sincere appreciation of the Government and people of Nepal to the Government and people of Indiafor their spontaneous and swift assistance extended to Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in April. The Minister for External Affairs of India recalled her visit to Nepal to attend the International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction and the pledge made for Nepal’s reconstruction.
30 September 2015
