Foreign Minister holds separate meetings with her counterparts of South Korea and Philippines

Kathmandu- Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuna, who is currently in New York in course of attending the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held separate meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of South Korea and the Philippines on Tuesday.

According to Foreign Minister Deuba’s private secretariat, various aspects of Nepal-Korea relations, mutual interests and common concerns were discussed during the meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. They discussed that the friendly relations between the two countries are grounded on mutual respect and understanding and it will be further deepened in the days to come. Also discussed on the occasion was the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Nepal-Korea diplomatic relations celebrated by the two countries this year.

Diplomatic relations between Nepal and Korea were established in 1974. Minister Deuba also extended an invitation to the Korean President to visit Nepal through the Foreign Minister, saying the high-level visit on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations would further strengthen and expand the relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, the Foreign Minister thanked the government for the employment being provided to Nepalis through employment permit system (EPS) in the recent past and the scholarships being provided by the Government of South Korea to Nepali students and civil service employees. She also appreciated the support extended by the South Korean government to Nepal in the social and economic sectors since a long time. Minister Rana also urged Korea to increase investment in Nepal.

South Korea is one of the major countries with direct investment in Nepal. In the last fiscal year, South Korea had invested around Rs 12 billion in Nepal. The Foreign Minister had requested for Korean support to Nepal’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Security Council. Similarly, Minister Deuba also held a meeting with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique A.

Manalo on Tuesday. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual benefits and common interests as well as future cooperation. On the occasion, Minister Deuba asked the Philippines for its support to Nepal in connection with the candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council and Security Council.