Ms. Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands met Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Minister for Foreign Affairs at the latter’s office on Monday.
During the meeting, matters of bilateral and mutual interests between Nepal and the Kingdom of the Netherlands were discussed. The discussions were mainly focused on the post-earthquake situation of Nepal and emergency humanitarian assistance extended by the Government and people of the Netherlands to the affected people of Nepal, potential support of the Netherlands in the phase of recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction as well as the upcoming International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction 2015.
According to press statement issued by the Ministry on Monday, the discussions also covered the possibility of resuming direct air link between the two countries; promotion of people to people contact and exchanging knowledge and expertise. Minister Pandey also requested her to put Nepal in the priority list of countries eligible for the Dutch Development Cooperation Assistance. The two Ministers also shared their views on furthering cooperation on issues of common interest at regional and global levels.
Shanker Das Bairagi, Officiating Foreign Secretary, Alphonsus Stoelinga, Non-Residential Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nepal, and other officials from both sides were also present on the occasion.
Minister Ploumen arrived at Kathmandu on 7 June 2015 for a two-day visit. During her stay in Nepal, she also visited earthquake affected areas of Bhaktapur and Shankhu.