KATHMANDU: The fifth meeting of the Nepal–Switzerland Bilateral Consultation Mechanism concluded in Kathmandu on Wednesday, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting reviewed various aspects of bilateral ties and cooperation while reaffirming the long-standing friendship and close partnership between Nepal and Switzerland.
Both sides expressed commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in the coming years.
During the meeting, the Nepali side briefed the Swiss delegation on Nepal’s latest political and economic developments, highlighting good governance, corruption control, transparency, digital transformation, and effective public service delivery as key priorities of the new government.
Nepal also identified hydropower generation and transmission, tourism, and information technology as major economic goals.
The Nepali delegation expressed gratitude to the Swiss government for continuously prioritizing Nepal through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Nepal appreciated Switzerland’s support in areas such as federalism implementation, suspension bridge construction, migration management, community forestry, technical and vocational education, and disaster resilience.
The Nepali side also urged Switzerland to further expand its support in line with Nepal’s development priorities.
The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual concern, including climate change, and discussed cooperation in multilateral forums. Both parties agreed to expedite the conclusion of proposed memorandums of understanding and agreements.
The Nepali delegation was led by Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, Joint Secretary and Head of the Europe Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Swiss delegation was headed by Markus Leitner, Head of the Asia and Pacific Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Nepali side included officials from the Europe Division and related ministries, while the Swiss delegation included Swiss Ambassador to Nepal Danielle Meuwly and officials from the Swiss Embassy in Kathmandu.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Swiss delegation also paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, during which both sides expressed satisfaction over the outcomes of the consultation meeting.
Nepal and Switzerland signed the memorandum of understanding establishing the bilateral consultation mechanism on November 4, 2015.
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