KATHMANDU, MARCH 7
Prime Minister Sushila Karki today spoke with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan over the telephone.
During the conversation, Prime Minister Karki extended her best wishes to the UAE on the occasion of Ramadan, the major festival of the UAE.
The Prime Minister also expressed her serious concern over the assaults targeting the UAE's sovereign zones and conveyed Nepal's solidarity with the UAE in the adverse situation it is facing.
She urged all stakeholders concerned to exercise patience, avoid further escalation of tensions, and ensure the safety of citizens, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.
"War is never an option to peace," the Prime Minister said, stressing that durable peace can be achieved only through diplomatic efforts and dialogue. She also expressed hope that the situation in West Asia (the Middle East) will soon return to normal.
She expressed her gratitude to the UAE government for ensuring public security and for treating all residents equally, including Nepalis, guests, and those stranded in transit.
The Prime Minister said she was saddened by the death of a Nepali citizen while on duty at Zayed International Airport on March 1. She also expressed concern over an incident in which two Nepali citizens were injured in the ICAD zone in Abu Dhabi on March 5.
The government head also applauded the UAE's initiatives under the leadership of the UAE President in regional and global diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and development.
She expressed hope that Nepal-UAE economic partnership and people-to-people relations would be further strengthened through deeper bilateral relations. She wished that the UAE government and its people would succeed in securing durable peace.
Expressing hope that the current adversity in the UAE would not last long, she said it should create space for a new level of diplomatic efforts. "Though Nepal is not a direct party to such adversity, it bears its consequences," she said.
The safety of Nepali citizens in the UAE is Nepal's immediate priority. In the long run, Nepal could also face significant economic pressure, including rising fuel prices, shrinking investment flows, and increasing inflation, the Prime Minister said.
She also expressed confidence that Nepali passengers stranded in transit would soon find a safe way back to Nepal or to their respective destinations in third countries.
In response, the UAE President, on behalf of the UAE government, thanked the Prime Minister for Nepal's solidarity and described Nepal as a very good friend of the UAE in this difficult time.
He also expressed grief over the loss of the Nepali citizen on duty and extended condolences.
Highlighting the cordial relations between Nepal and the UAE, he praised the hardworking nature and integrity of Nepali citizens.
He said the UAE government is doing its best to ensure the safety and protection of Nepali citizens and reiterated its full commitment to their security. Informing the Prime Minister that some Nepali citizens have expressed interest in returning home, he promised all necessary support and facilitation once the situation returns to normal.
