Kathmandu, July 10

Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has urged the diplomatic community to follow the official channel of communications on matters of development partnership in line with the code of conduct devised by the government.

Stating that Nepal’s priorities and modalities for engagement demanded commensurate adjustments following conclusion of political transition and beginning of a new era of political stability, the minister said the constitution allocated matters related to foreign relations under the competence of the federal government.

“It is in this context that we had to devise code of conduct and advise our partners from the diplomatic community to follow the official channel of communications on the matters of development partnership. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains available to facilitate you in that process,” he said, addressing a dinner he had hosted for the diplomatic community in Kathmandu last night.

On the draft integrity policy, the minister clarified that the government had no intention of curbing or discouraging the participation of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, in development efforts.

Gyawali said the government expected its civil society partners to avoid duplication, contribute to areas that help create jobs and bring tangible benefits to the people, and avoid scattering of scarce resources.

“It is but natural for the government to expect that the civil society partners align their activities with the policy and priorities of the government so that synergetic effects can be generated in our development efforts,” he said.

As far as transitional justice is concerned, he said endorsement of two amendment bills related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons would allow the investigation of all allegations of serious violations of human rights and humanitarian laws and ensure justice and accountability. “There will be no blanket amnesty to serious violations of human rights,” the minister reiterated.

Stating that the government’s commitment to democracy and universal values of human rights and fundamental freedoms was total and unwavering, the minister said the government’s commitment to pluralism was absolute.

He also said that Nepal’s faith in multilateralism remained unshaken, and that the government considered the United Nations as an indispensable organisation in multilateral affairs and supported its reform for further strengthening.

He said Nepal would continue its contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Operations, and added that the government’s experience of the peace process might be useful to countries in transition and those gone through conflict. “We would be happy to share our experience as a uniquely successful and home-grown brand of the peace process and contribute to the peace building elsewhere,” he said.

Thanking Nepal’s friends and partners for their cooperation and generous assistance in the reconstruction process, Gyawali said the government would continue to work closely with neighbours, major powers, development partners, extended neighbourhood, labour-receiving countries, the UN and multilateral financial institutions.