KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali has said Nepal’s commitment to democracy, pluralism and the universal values of human rights and fundamental freedoms is unwavering.

Addressing a programme organised by Nepal Council of World Affairs on its 70th anniversary here on Friday, Foreign Minister Gyawali said Nepal had been party to 24 covenants on human rights.

“As guided by the Constitution of Nepal, the principles of the UN Charter, Panchasheel, international law and the norms of world peace continue to inspire the conduct of our foreign policy. We pursue an independent foreign policy based on our national interest,” he said, adding that friendship with all and animosity with none has remained the hallmark of Nepal’s engagements in the comity of nations.

Minister Gyawali reiterated that sovereign equality, mutuality of interest, justice and mutual respect provided the basis for the conduct of Nepal’s international relations. Informed by these universally accepted norms of inter-state relations, Nepal has steadily expanded its diplomatic outreach to 161 countries of the world that constitutes over 80 per cent of UN membership, he argued.

According to him, the present government attaches high importance to the socio-economic development of the country which is key to sustaining peace and stability, and enhancing quality of life of Nepali citizens. “Nepal’s desire to attain a decent level of prosperity in short run and sustaining the gains for longer term development of the country is informed by the need and aspiration of our people for achieving economic transformation in Nepal’s own life time,” he said.

He mentioned that the resolve of the nation was well reflected in the policy and programmes of the government for the current fiscal which aimed at building a foundation for the coming five years.

Nepal stands committed not to allow her soil to be used by any undesired element against the interest of its neighbours and expected similar sensitivity accorded by her neighbours, the foreign minister stated.

“While focusing on effective implementation of all the past agreements and understandings, we have intensified engagements for addressing the outstanding matters by September 2018. The bilateral oversight mechanism established in September 2016 has proved to be a useful means to accelerate the progress in the implementation of development projects and address the issues that come up during the process.

“The Eminent Persons Group has concluded its mandated task and we are anticipating submission of the report soon,” he said.