Nepal Foreign Affairs (KATHMANDU, Aug.28)—Visiting UK State Minister for International Development Desmond Swayne called on Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Friday evening.
During the meeting, the duo discussed on a range of issues including the bilateral relations, Nepal’s constitution-making process and post-earthquake reconstruction, according to a press release issued by the prime minister’s office.
The prime minister shared that Nepal is in the final stage to draft a new constitution through the Constituent Assembly to institutionalize achievements made through various democratic movements in the past few decades.
“We are gearing up to promulgate the constitution after massive earthquakes, landslides and floods. I am confident Nepal’s friendly countries will extend support all support in the historical constitution-making process,” the prime minister told the state minister.
Prime Minister Koirala also said that the government has already invited the disgruntled parties, groups and organisations to sit for talks.
“I would like to thank the UK government for its incessant support in Nepal’s socio-economic endeavours,” he said.
On the occasion, the state minister expressed confidence that the constitution drafting process will be completed under the leadership of Prime Minister Koirala.
“The UK government extends support to Nepal’s efforts to promulgate the new statute and institutionalize the democracy,” the state minister told to the prime minister adding, “It is a great pleasure to the UK government that Nepal is getting the new constitution when the UK and Nepal are approaching to mark the bicentennial of the diplomatic relations establishment.” Prime Minister Koirala’s Foreign Relations Advisor Dr Dinesh Bhattarai and UK Ambassador to Nepal John Rankin were present during the meeting.
The UK state minister also held a separate meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs Prakash Man Singh. UK State Minister Swayne arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday on a two-day visit.