KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said the government will not compromise national sovereignty, independence and integrity.

Responding to queries raised by lawmakers in course of discussion on the United States grant Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in the House of Representatives on Sunday, he said that nationality and sovereignty were important for all Nepalis.

Stating that Nepal cannot be a part of any country’s military strategy, Finance Minister Sharma said that the government was working to implement MCC as a development project.

Recalling that the government was formed with the objective of protecting the constitution and democracy, he said that Nepal would treat all countries equally.

Urging lawmakers for a broad discussion on MCC, Finance Minister Sharma said that the government had paid serious attention to the concerns raised by the lawmakers regarding the MCC agreement, the voices raised in the streets and the concerns of the people.

Similarly, Finance Minister Sharma said that the ‘interpretative declaration’ was prepared in accordance with the international practice and the provisions of the prevailing law.

The proposal to deliberate MCC was passed with the Finance Minister’s concluding statements.