Kathmandu, September 27

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is presently in New York leading the Nepali delegation to the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, took part in a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines yesterday.

In the morning, Oli held a bilateral meeting with President of Switzerland Alain Berset. The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, including Swiss cooperation in Nepal, as well as other important bilateral and multilateral concerns.

Oli also held a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May. The two prime ministers, while recalling the centuries-old friendship and excellent bilateral ties, talked about strengthening cooperation in multiple areas, including trade, investment and tourism, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the evening, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Oli. On the occasion, matters of mutual interest were discussed.

Also on the sidelines, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali attended the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement.

In his statement, he mentioned that the principles of the movement must inspire member states to build a culture of peace. He encouraged all NAM members to act with solidarity and unite our strength to contribute to world peace, while leaving no one behind.

Gyawali also attended the ministerial meeting of Least Developed Countries, highlighting the structural constraints of poverty, inequality and unemployment, diverse effects of climate change, natural disasters and internal conflicts as impediments to the progress of LDCs.

Meanwhile, Nepal and Madagascar established formal diplomatic relations yesterday. Foreign Minister Gyawali and Eloi Alphonse Maxime Dovo, foreign minister of Madagascar, signed a memorandum of understanding to that effect. With this, the number of countries Nepal has established diplomatic relations with has reached 162.

Gyawali also attended a reception to celebrate the Independence Day of Vietnam. He paid tribute to the late Tran Dai Quan, president of Vietnam.