KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Prem Bahadur Ale, has called on the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its ‘air safety list’.

During a meeting with EU Delegation Ambassador for Nepal Nona Deprez Monday, the Minister said Nepal was doing its best to get removed from the list and to further improve its air service and was fully committed to air safety. He also apprised the EU representative about Nepal’s willingness to cooperate with EC for the promotion of culture and tourism sectors.

In response, the Ambassador assured to call an EU technical team to assess the situation of Nepal’s air safety. Stating that the EU was assisting Nepal to strengthen its air safety, the Ambassador pledged to continue such support in the future, too.

She also urged Nepal to ensure the establishment of different bodies to regulate the aviation sector and to provide air service. The Ambassador also applauded Nepal’s progress in the air safety issues. “Nepal makes good progress in air safety and I am positive towards the request to remove it from the list.”