President Ramchandra Paudel is set to visit Switzerland and Germany next month, embarking on his first official visit to the two European countries since taking office on March 23 last year.

In November last year, Paudel was all set to visit France, Italy and Germany but the plan was postponed due to an earthquake in Rukum West and Jajarkot districts. At least 153 people died, hundreds were injured, and thousands displaced by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rocked areas beyond the two districts of Karnali Province.

Even though the visit was cancelled, the government had to pay Rs5.5 million in advance air travel bookings. The Ministry of Finance recently cleared the bills. The government had requested the airlines not to charge any money after the visit’s cancellation, they did not heed the request. After the airlines did not budge, the payment was finally made, an official at the foreign ministry said.

Suresh Chalise, the president's foreign relations adviser and expert, said preparations are underway for the President’s visit to Switzerland and Germany. The government would announce the visit after the preparations advance.

The President and the Nepali delegation will leave for Switzerland on June 12. On June 13, the President will address the 112th session of the International Labour Organization in Geneva on the topic of social justice, said a senior foreign ministry official.

Officials at the Nepali Embassy in Geneva are instructed to prepare for other meetings and engagements, including his meeting with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, and other senior officials of the Swiss government.

After completing the engagements in Switzerland, the President and his entourage will embark on a visit to Germany on June 16. “Since Germany has accorded priority to the visit, we are looking to make it a state visit,” another official at the foreign ministry said. The visit is taking place at the invitation of German President Frank Wanter Steinmeier. Paudel will stay in Germany for three days as the guest of the German president. Visits to both European nations are “official goodwill”, said the foreign ministry officials. As of now, no any agreement or understanding has been agreed for signing.

According to Chalise, talks are also going on to set the President’s India visit. The visit might happen after the Indian elections and the formation of a new government in New Delhi, he added. Phase-wise elections in India will conclude on June 1.

Paudel was flown to New Delhi in April last year after being taken ill. He was taken by an air ambulance, and received treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi and later returned to Kathmandu.

The President has not gone to India on an official visit. Next year, Paudel might visit China, said Chalise.