Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Motegi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the recent devastating flood in Nepal. He paid tribute to the victims and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and those affected by the disaster.
He praised the Nepal government’s continued efforts to rescue and assist those affected by the disaster, and said that Japan stands with Nepal.
Motegi also pledged that Japan would continue providing support to Nepal from the emergency response phase through the medium- and long-term recovery phases.
Foreign Minister Khanal thanked the Japanese government and people for their condolences and solidarity over the losses caused by the flood.
He also informed Motegi that the Nepal government was making every possible effort to search for and rescue foreign nationals, including Japanese citizens, who remain missing following the disaster.
The two ministers also discussed the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan, which is being marked this year.
Motegi noted that Japan has continued to support Nepal in strengthening democracy and in its nation-building efforts. He expressed confidence that the Nepal-Japan Festival, scheduled to be held in Nepal in November, would further deepen the friendly relations between the two countries.
He said that Japan would continue supporting Nepal’s development efforts under the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
Thanking Japan for its long-term support, Foreign Minister Khanal said that Nepal is keen to further expand and strengthen Nepal-Japan relations in the days ahead as the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
