22 EU diplomats arrive in Nepal for talks on trade, climate and cooperation

KATHMANDU:- A high-level European Union mission comprising ambassadors and deputy heads of mission from 22 EU member states is in Nepal for a two-day visit to strengthen ties with the country’s new government and expand cooperation in trade, investment, climate action, and development.

Hosted by the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, the mission is led by EU Ambassador to Nepal Véronique Lorenzo and brings together senior diplomats from across Europe in one of the bloc’s largest collective diplomatic engagements in Nepal in recent years.

The visiting team includes ambassadors and deputy ambassadors from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

According to a press release, the diplomats are scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Tuesday and other senior government officials to discuss Nepal–EU relations, economic cooperation, sustainable development and regional and global issues of shared interest.

Today (Monday), the delegation is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel, and Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel. Separate interactions are also planned with business leaders, civil society representatives and youth representatives.

Ambassador Lorenzo said the mission reflects the European Union’s continued commitment to Nepal and its readiness to work closely with the new government on shared priorities.

“We are here to congratulate the new government, reaffirm our support for Nepal’s development priorities, and explore new avenues for cooperation,” she said.

The European Union remains one of Nepal’s major development partners, supporting programmes related to inclusive economic growth, democratic governance, education and sustainable development across the country.