Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal holds bilateral meetings on sidelines of UN General Assembly

New York: Foreign Affairs Minister Shishir Khanal has held separate meetings with the foreign ministers of Poland, Portugal and Japan, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and European Union Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera in New York.

The meetings were held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.

During his meeting with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal’s secretariat, they also stressed the need to make Nepal-Poland cooperation more effective in multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

Likewise, the Foreign Affairs Minister held a courtesy meeting with Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

The two leaders discussed bilateral issues and ways to further strengthen Nepal-Bhutan relations. They also exchanged views on the growing frequency and intensity of disasters caused by climate change.

The two sides underlined the need to strengthen cooperation on climate action, noting that Nepal and Bhutan are both mountain countries.

Similarly, Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal met Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel.

The two ministers discussed ways to further expand bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest and make Nepal-Portugal relations more dynamic.

Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal also held a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Motegi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the recent Bhotekoshi floods in Nepal.

He extended condolences to the bereaved families and sympathies to those affected by the disaster.

Foreign Minister Motegi appreciated the Nepal government’s disaster response efforts and assured that Japan would continue supporting Nepal, from immediate emergency response to long-term recovery.

Minister Khanal expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and people for their condolences and solidarity following the disaster.

Similarly, Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal held bilateral talks with European Union Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The two sides exchanged views on various aspects of Nepal-EU relations.

Minister Khanal thanked Vice-President Ribera for her message of sympathy and solidarity following the recent Bhotekoshi floods.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Nepal-EU cooperation and partnership, with particular focus on recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the flood-affected areas.