KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal today expressed its serious concerns over the reference to Nepal and its new constitution that European Union and India made in their joint statement issued on Wednesday after the 13th European Union-India Summit in Brussels.

Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the EU-India statement -- which pointed out the need for "a lasting and inclusive constitutional settlement in Nepal that will address the remaining Constitutional issues in a time bound manner, and promote political stability and economic growth" -- not only hurt the sentiments of the people of Nepal but also defied the fundamental principle of non-interference in internal affairs of a country in breach of UN Charter and norms of international law.

Responding to the EU-India joint statement, MoFA issued a statement and maintained that the constitution making and its promulgation are essentially internal matters of a country.

Nepal promulgated the Constitution through a democratically elected Constituent Assembly and the Constitution has fully accommodated the aspirations of the people of Nepal, MoFA added.

Nepal has now moved ahead along the path of political stability and economic development, MoFA further said.

MoFA made it clear that promulgation of the Constitution formally concluded the nationally-driven peace process initiated in 2006 and institutionalised significant democratic gains including federal and republican system.

"Against this backdrop, the EU-India Joint Statement not only hurts the sentiments of the people of Nepal but also defies the fundamental principle of non-interference in internal affairs of a country in breach of UN Charter and norms of international law," the statement said.

The Government of Nepal further called on all to fully respect the sovereign and democratic rights of the people of Nepal and refrain from making uncalled for statements.

"The Government and people of Nepal are fully capable of resolving their issues themselves within the framework of the constitution," it added.

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Press Release

Serious attention of the Government of Nepal has been drawn to the reference to Nepal made in the Joint Statement of the 13th EU-India Summit held in Brussels on 30 March 2016.

As is known to all that Nepal has promulgated the constitution through a democratically elected Constituent Assembly. The constitution fully accommodates the aspirations of the people of Nepal. The promulgation of the constitution formally concludes the nationally-driven peace process initiated in 2006 and institutionalizes significant democratic gains including federal and republican system. The constitution making and its promulgation are essentially internal matters of a country. Nepal has now moved ahead along the path of political stability and economic development.

Against this backdrop, the EU-India Joint Statement not only hurts the sentiments of the people of Nepal but also defies the fundamental principle of non-interference in internal affairs of a country in breach of UN Charter and norms of international law. The Government of Nepal calls on all to fully respect the sovereign and democratic rights of the people of Nepal and refrain from making uncalled for statements. The Government and people of Nepal are fully capable of resolving their issues themselves within the framework of the constitution.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Government of Nepal

31 March 2016