Foreign Minister Dr Rana holds bilateral talks with Canadian counterpart Joly

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Sept 19: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba held bilateral meetings with her Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on Wednesday in Ottawa as part of her official visit to Canada, according to the Foreign Minister Rana's Secretariat. 

Foreign Minister Dr Rana is leading a Nepali delegation to the Meeting of Women Foreign Ministers, scheduled for 19 to 20 September 2024, in Toronto, Canada, at the invitation of Minister Joly.  

During the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers reviewed the state of friendly bilateral relations between Nepal and Canada, discussing ways to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, and development cooperation, and promote people-to-people exchanges.  

Both ministers stressed the need for maintaining high-level communication and exchanges and exploring new areas for mutually beneficial economic partnership between the two countries. 

Saying the two countries enjoyed bilateral relations ever since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1965, and they prepare to celebrate the 60th year of diplomatic ties next year, both sides expressed commitments to strengthening ties, particularly in the field of education and tourism. 

The two ministers also underlined the importance of cooperation in international forums, particularly on shared issues, such as multilateralism, climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

On the occasion, Foreign Minister Dr Rana appreciated Canada's support in Nepal's democratic process, including in formulating Nepal's constitution. She informed that Nepal's parliamentary approval of the law on transitional justice, and expressed the confidence that the remaining work of the peace process would soon be completed. 

Additionally, she acknowledged Canada's support in difficult situations such as the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 epidemic in Nepal, and its financial aid in various development areas. 

Minister also requested the Canadian government to establish a Canadian embassy in Nepal, citing the growing number of Nepali students pursuing studies in Canada, and the increasing flow of Canadian tourists to Nepal. She also highlighted the exchange of visits between researchers, businessmen, and other citizens from many areas between the two countries. 

She also requested Canadian Foreign Minister Joly to consider establishing a Canadian embassy in a democratic country like Nepal, which is located between two big countries in Asia. 

She extended a formal invitation for Minister Joly to visit Nepal coinciding the 60th year of diplomatic relations next year. 

Minister Dr Rana expected Canada's continued support in commercial and investment-related facilities especially as Nepal seeks to graduate from the least developed country (LDC) by 2026. 

She encouraged Canada's investment in Nepal's huge potential hydropower, noting its long experience and expertise in the sector. 

In response, Minister Joly appreciated Nepal's recent progress in inclusivity and women's rights while asking for both countries to work together in the issue of 'Feminist Foreign Policy' put forward by Canada.

Similarly, she expressed the Canadian government's readiness to cooperate with Nepal, including through assistance through the Canadian Pension Fund, welcomed the idea of establishing a Canadian embassy in Nepal, and promised to explore the possibility further. 

She emphasised Canada's continued cooperation in the field of women's empowerment in Nepal and its commitment to supporting the establishment of female universities and in the field of female education. 

Likewise, she welcomed the proposal for cooperation in the field of digital marketing and e-governance in Nepal.