Nepal Foreign Affairs (KATHMANDU,15 February) – Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat on Tuesday said that the government was serious and committed to the amendment of the constitution.
While addressing a thematic panel entitled ‘Implementation of Mediated Peace Agreements, What are the Challenges?’ at the International High-Level Conference on Mediation: Possibilities and Limits – Recent Experiences in the Pursuit of Peace’. The panel was organized by the Government of Belgium in Brussels.
According to the press release issued by the Embassy of Nepal to the European Union Brussels Mahat’s address was focused on Nepal’s ‘unique and home-grown’ peace process with a particular emphasis on the ten-year experience of implementation of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists back in 2006.
He also shed light on Nepal’s current priorities and challenges with respect to political stability and economic development. Describing Nepal’s transition from conflict to peace as an example of a successful case on peace building, Minister Mahat stated that the implementation of the CPA was marked by national consensus and resolve of the major political parties.
In the dynamic peace process that was fundamentally concluded with the promulgation of the new constitution by Constituent Assembly in September 2015, we have been able to accommodate all genuine concerns of the socially, culturally and geographically diverse Nepali communities, he said. He stated that it was possible through an inclusive participation including that of civil society, non-government organizations, private sector, media, community leaders and most importantly people at the grassroots level.
He also expressed hope that the transitional justice mechanisms established as envisaged in the CPA would be able to deliver transitional justice and pave way for lasting peace and stability in the country. His Majesty Phillipe, the King of Belgians was present in the opening session of the Conference.
The Conference was attended by Ministers and high-level officials from different countries. Earlier today, Hon. Dr. Mahat delivered a keynote address on ‘Inclusive Democracy and Economic Transformation in Nepal: Prospects and Challenges’ in a seminar and interaction programme organized jointly by the Embassy of Nepal and European Institute for Asian Studies in Brussels.
Addressing the seminar, he said that inclusive democracy was a guiding principle of the Constitution of Nepal and that the government was committed to ensuring inclusion, representation and empowerment of all sections of Nepali society.
Mahat said that progressive and inclusive state policies were put in place in order to address the concerns of the groups and communities such as women, Dalits, Adibasi Janajatis, Madhesis and Tharus, among others. While the government remains serious and committed to the amendment of the constitution and the holding of the elections in the stipulated time frame, it expects similar level of seriousness and positive efforts from all, Mahat stated.
Minister also said that the Government of Nepal was committed to pursing the economic aspirations upon the foundation of Inclusive democracy. He contended that while inclusive democracy provides a suitable political space for economic growth, achievements made at the political front could only be sustained and consolidated by economic development and prosperity. The seminar was attended by a large number of ambassadors and members of diplomatic corps, scholars, friends of Nepal and representatives of Nepali communities in Belgium.