EU pledges post-graduation support to Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov. 29

The European Union (EU) has welcomed Nepal's Transition Strategy to graduate from LDC status to 'developing nation' and expressed commitment to continue cooperation through the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP).

The MIP is a seven-year plan that will last till 2027, and incorporates the EU's development cooperation priorities and funding for a specific partner country. It guides the EU's financial and technical assistance, often matching its policy priorities such as Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the need of the partner country.

Since it incorporates economic growth and sustainable development alongside the promotion of democracy and human rights, it is likely to help in Nepal's transition period after LDC graduation.

During the 16^th meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) in Brussels on Friday, the EU and Nepal reviewed the progress of EU's development cooperation in various sectors where the former assured of its support to Nepal, the Embassy of Nepal in Brussels informed in a statement on Saturday.

On the occasion, Nepal appreciated and welcomed the MIP for aligning with Nepal's plans and priorities.

The meeting also discussed criteria for acceding to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) that is considered as a support to Nepal in the post-graduation scenario. This special trade arrangement provides developing countries with duty-free access to the European market for over 7,200 products.

The meeting was co-chaired by Paola Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Affairs Service of the EU and Foreign Secretary of Nepal Amrit Bahadur Rai.

The EU and Nepal reiterated their commitment to work together in upholding democracy and human rights, promoting good governance, realising SDGs, combating disaster risks, promoting investment, and addressing global challenges such as climate change.

"The EU welcomed Nepal's commitment to restoring stability and democracy and the work of the interim government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, including reforms centred on fiscal discipline, good governance, accountability and improved service delivery," read the statement.

Likewise, the EU expressed appreciation for Nepal's position on Ukraine in line with the objectives and principles of the UN Charter.

The EU and Nepal also took stock of the impact of climate change and latest developments, including at COP-30.

Nepal underlined that air safety remains a key priority area and reasserted their commitment to address all observations made by the EU's assessment visit in September 2023. The EU took note of the request of Nepal to delist Nepali airlines from the European Union Air Safety List in recognition of the progress made by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 30 November 2025.