Kathmandu, November 21

Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali is paying official visits to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Serbia next week.

Minister Gyawali will leave for Moscow on November 23, where he is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on November-25.

The following day, Gyawali will address the Institute of International Relations in Moscow on Nepal-Russia relations and cooperation.

He will also meet Russian political leaders as well as representatives of the Non-resident Nepali Association in Moscow, according to a statement issued today by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the second leg of his visit, Gyawali will arrive in Belgrade, Serbia, on November-27.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Serbia.

While in Serbia, Minister Gyawlai will hold bilateral talks with Ivica Dacic, first deputy prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia.

He will also pay courtesy call on high-level dignitaries of Serbia.

An interaction programme with local chambers of commerce and travel and tour operators will also be organised in Belgrade for investment and tourism promotion in Nepal.

Nepali delegation to the Russian Federation to be led by the foreign minister consists of Foreign Secretary Shanker

Das Bairagi, Ambassador of Nepal to Russian Federation Rishi Ram Ghimire and other government officials.

The delegation to Serbia will include Foreign Secretary Bairagi, Non-residential Ambassador of Nepal to Serbia Ramesh Prasad Khanal and other government officials.

The delegation will depart for Nepal on November 30.