Twenty-three European Union ambassadors and deputy heads of mission, currently in Kathmandu for an annual meeting, are jointly paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Tuesday.

This is the second meeting of PM Shah with foreign diplomats and ambassadors since he assumed office on March 27. Earlier, breaking the tradition, he had briefly met 17 Kathmandu-based ambassadors jointly on April 8.

According to a statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, the visiting diplomatic team will hold high-level discussions with Nepal’s leadership, including a meeting with the prime minister.

An aide to the prime minister confirmed the meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 10:30 am. 

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Nepal, led by EU Ambassador Véronique Lorenzo, is in Nepal on Monday and Tuesday for its annual gathering of EU ambassadors and deputy heads of mission.

This visit aims to introduce the delegation to the new government under PM Shah, reaffirm EU-Nepal ties and explore areas of cooperation, the statement added.

The prime minister has not met with foreign diplomats, either officially or individually, since April 8.

The prime minister's decision not to meet the foreign ambassadors individually and to meet them collectively was praised by various quarters of society.

Earlier, the prime minister had refused to meet US Assistant Secretary of State Samir Paul Kapur, and Sergio Gor, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for South and Central Asia. After refusing to meet, the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Kathmandu was also postponed.

On Monday, the EU delegation is scheduled to hold talks with Shisir Khanal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khadak Raj Paudel, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, and Sasmit Pokharel, Minister of Education, Science and Technology.

The delegation will also meet private sector leaders, civil society representatives, and youth leaders.

The delegation comprises Ambassadors and Deputy Ambassadors from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

EU Ambassador Lorenzo stated that this mission underscores the EU’s commitment to Nepal.

“We are here to congratulate the new government, reaffirm our support for Nepal’s development priorities, and explore new avenues for cooperation—from trade and investment to climate action and multilateral issues. Together, as Team Europe, we stand ready to work with Nepal to build a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive future."

The EU remains one of Nepal’s largest and most reliable international partners, said the statement, adding that the EU and its Member States work closely with government institutions, civil society, and the private sector to support inclusive economic growth, democratic governance, education, and sustainable development across the country.