Kathmandu, February 12

Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said he would seek removal of the European Union’s ban on Nepali airlines.

Mahat said this at a press conference here today before leaving for Brussels to take part in ‘International high-level conference on meditation: Possibilities and limits of recent experiences in the pursuit of peace.’

The minister said he would discuss European assistance for Nepal’s development and reconstruction efforts during his meeting with European leaders. He also said he would clarify the government’s stance on the constitution, Truth and Reconciliation Commission and would also brief the European leaders about progress on promotion of human rights in Nepal.

Minister Mahat said he would seek additional incentives to promote export of Nepal goods to European markets and seek European assistance to promote investment in Nepal and develop Nepal’s tourism sector.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mahat is expected to meet Chair of European Commission Jean-Cloude Juncker and commission’s High-Level Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. He would also meet  Luxemburg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and Minister of Development Assistance Ramain Schneider, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders.

MoFA expects that Mahat’s meeting with European leaders would help further strengthen Nepal’s relations with EU countries. During his stay, Mahat would also hold an interaction with non-resident Nepalis in Belgium and Luxemburg.

He would also take part in an interaction titled ‘Inclusive democracy and economic transformation in Nepal: Prospects and challenges’ to be organised by Nepali Embassy in Brussels and The European Institute for Asian Studies. Minister Mahat will return home on February 17.