Kathmandu, December 20:

Secretary General of the Socialist International, Luis Ayala, today expressed the hope that the Nepali Congress (NC) and NC (Democratic) would unite soon.

Responding to a query at a press conference here, he said, “I expect that NC and NC-D will unite.”

He met NC president and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba during his visit to Kathmandu in the last two days. He said, “I have found that both (NC and NC-D) respect each other. I think they are coming closer. There is a need to build a stronger political party.”

He was here at the invitation of NC to express solidarity with Nepal’s democracy and ongoing peace process.

The purpose of his visit was also to consult the Nepali politicians regarding the upcoming conference of the Asia-Pacific Region of the Socialist International.

The conference titled “Peace Accord of Nepal and Role of International Community” is scheduled for February 10 and 11.

Ayala said, “All the political actors have to respect the expectation of the Nepali people.”