Foreign Affairs Minister Rana holds bilateral meetings with counterparts at UNGA

Kathmandu, Sept 23: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba held bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from various countries in New York on Sunday. Foreign Affairs Minister Rana is in New York in the Nepali delegation participating in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

According to the Foreign Minister’s private secretariat, during her meeting with her Indonesian counterpart Retno L.P. Marsudi, two key agreements–the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism and the Visa Exemption Agreement for diplomatic and official/service passport holders were signed by Minister Dr Rana on behalf of Nepal, and Marsudi on behalf of Indonesia. The agreements aim to further strengthen bilateral ties, and enhance cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting discussed a range of issues, including mutual bilateral interests between the two countries, as well as the expansion of future relations, development partnership, and cooperation to reduce the impact of climate change. Likewise, the leaders also discussed the mutual cooperation and investment between the two countries in tourism promotion.

Minister Dr Rana expressed the hope that the newly signed agreements would play an important role in further expanding the mutual relations between the two countries. Similarly, Minister Dr Rana had a talk with her Burundian counterpart Albert Shingiro. The two ministers discussed issues, including mutual relations and bilateral interests as well as potential future cooperation between the two countries.

The discussions between the two ministers also touched on identifying ways for cooperation to tackle the impacts of climate change, which the two landlocked countries are struggling with. Additionally, Dr Rana held talks with Finland’s Minister of Foreign Trade & Development, Ville Tavio.

During the meeting, the two leaders acknowledged over 50 years of strong and friendly relations and cooperation between Nepal and Finland. On the occasion, Minister Dr Rana appreciated Finland’s continued support in Nepal’s economic and social sectors. They also discussed mutual interests, future cooperation and potential partnership areas.