Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ganesh Prasad Dhakal and Erik Kurzweil, ambassador, Indo-Pacific Policy, South Asia and Afghanistan at the German Federal Foreign Office concluded a political consultation meeting in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Issuing a press release on Thursday, the German Embassy in Kathmandu said that several matters related to bilateral ties between the two countries, including the invitation of President Ramchandra Paudel to Germany, Nepal’s graduation from LDC, cooperation in climate change and energy sector were discussed during the meeting.

The two sides also discussed issues relating to the peace process, democracy and social inclusion, cooperation in the cultural field, visa permits and working status for German NGOs.

“Germany appreciated Nepal’s stance regarding the invasion of Ukrainian territory by the Russian government, its pledge to democracy, social inclusion and the peace process,” the statement reads.

The German embassy also said the two sides signed a €56 million financial and technical cooperation agreement grant.

“The grant assistance pledges to work in the areas of renewable energy, energy infrastructure, gender equality, maternal care and childcare, quality infrastructure for sustainable economic development, health, and local and provincial economic development,” the statement further reads.

Both sides have pledged to increase cooperation, find areas of mutual benefits and continue to build a strong partnership.

“Nepal and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1958,” the statement quoted Ambassador Kurzweil as saying. “Despite the geographical distance, our friendship is strong through shared values of democracy, inclusion, and equality.”

Joint Secretary Dhakal expressed gratitude to the German side for their support, particularly during the devastating earthquake of 2015 and the Covid-19 pandemic, read the statement