KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali held a telephone conversation with High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union and Vice President of European Commission Josep Borrell on Tuesday.

Various matters relating to Nepal-EU relations and cooperation, particularly in the context of the COVID 19, were discussed during the call, according to a press note issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides shared the sentiments on the loss of lives and widespread human suffering and expressed solidarity in their common fight against the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Minister Gyawali appreciated the EU’s important role in preparedness, prevention and control of the virus in different parts of the world and thanked Borrell for the EU’s longstanding partnership in Nepal’s development efforts.

In response, Borrell assured Gyawali of the EU’s continued support to Nepal’s socioeconomic development under its framework of cooperation.

During the conservation, they also expressed the view that the economic engagements and recovery packages would revitalize the economies from the imminent slowdown and that the EU’s cooperation would be important in the post-COVID context.