PM Shah to hold joint meeting with EU ambassadors today

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) is scheduled to hold a meeting with European Union ambassadors and heads of mission today, focusing on strengthening diplomatic ties and discussing key areas of bilateral cooperation.

The meeting will bring together more than 30 diplomats from 22 EU and Southeast Asian countries at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar at 11:30 am.

This will be Prime Minister Shah’s second interaction with foreign diplomats and ambassadors since assuming office on March 27. Earlier, in a departure from tradition, he had held a brief joint meeting with 17 Kathmandu-based ambassadors on April 8.

According to Prime Minister Shah’s press and research expert Deepa Dahal, the discussions will center on Nepal’s current national priorities, strengthening bilateral relations, and expanding cooperation in multiple sectors.

The agenda is also expected to include Nepal’s efforts to retain its Least Developed Country (LDC) status with continued international support, as well as initiatives aimed at removing Nepal from the European Union’s aviation safety blacklist.

According to the Delegation of the European Union in Nepal, the visiting group includes ambassadors from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

EU Ambassador Véronique Lorenzo, Head of the EU Delegation to Nepal, said the visit reflects the EU’s continued commitment to Nepal. She noted that the delegation aims to congratulate the new government, reaffirm support for Nepal’s development priorities, and explore broader cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, climate action, and multilateral engagement.

She further stated that “Team Europe” remains ready to work with Nepal toward a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive future. The European Union continues to be one of Nepal’s key development partners, working with government institutions, civil society, and the private sector to promote inclusive economic growth, democratic governance, education, and sustainable development.