Foreign Minister Saud, NZ counterpart discuss bilateral ties

A Nepali delegation under Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud, on a visit to New Zealand since Tuesday (Feb 13), has held a series of discussions with officials of the host country in a bid to boost bilateral ties. 

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Saud held a bilateral meeting with Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) of New Zealand at Wellington.

During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction over the excellent state of bilateral relations and exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the areas of mutual interest, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Australia. 

Minister Saud also visited the Parliament of New Zealand and observed the Question Time at the Parliament where his presence was acknowledged by Gerry Brownlee, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand.

The Nepali society in Wellington together with the Honorary Consul of Nepal to New Zealand organized an interaction with the visiting delegation at Wellington. The interaction delved into matters relating to providing passport and consular services to the Nepali community in New Zealand more efficiently and utilizing the knowledge, expertise and skills of Nepalis residing in New Zealand for the benefit of Nepal. 

Minister Saud also visited Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum of New Zealand, and observed the vast repository of cultural attractions.

Earlier in the morning, the second edition of Nepal-New Zealand Foreign Ministry Consultation (FMC) was held under the leadership of Rita Dhital, Joint Secretary, Southeast Asia and the Pacific (SEAP) Division at Nepal’s Foreign Ministry and Joanna Kempkers, Divisional Manager for South Asia and Southeast Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand. 

 

The two sides took stock of various aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on further promoting cooperation through enhancement of economic and cultural engagements between the two countries. 

 

Minister Saud and his delegation will depart for Kathmandu from Wellington on Thursday.