Nepal-Switzerland meeting concludes, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations

Kathmandu – The fifth meeting of the Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultation Mechanism concluded in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The meeting was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Switzerland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the meeting reviewed various aspects of the overall relationship and cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides praised the longstanding friendship and close partnership between the two countries, expressing commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in the future.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nepali side briefed the Swiss side on Nepal’s recent political and economic situation, highlighting good governance, corruption control, transparency, digital transformation, and effective public service delivery as priorities of the new government. Additionally, hydropower production and transmission, tourism, and information technology development were identified as key economic goals of the government.

The Nepali side expressed gratitude for Switzerland’s continued prioritization of Nepal through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. They appreciated Switzerland’s support in areas such as federalism implementation, suspension bridge construction, migration management, community forestry, technical and vocational education, and disaster resilience, urging for an expansion of cooperation in line with Nepal’s priorities.

The meeting also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including climate change, and cooperation in multilateral forums. Both sides agreed to promptly conclude the proposed memorandums of understanding and agreements.

The meeting was co-chaired by Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, Joint Secretary and Head of the Europe Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, and Markus Leitner, Head of the Asia and Pacific Division at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland. The Nepali delegation included officials from the Europe Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries, while the Swiss delegation comprised officials from the same division, Swiss Ambassador to Nepal, Danielle Meuwly, and officials from the Swiss Embassy in Nepal.

Additionally, on Wednesday, the Swiss delegation paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai in his office. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the mechanism’s meeting during the occasion.

The memorandum of understanding to establish the mechanism between Nepal and Switzerland was signed on November 4, 2015.