Nepal-France consultative meeting held

Shrinkhala appointed goodwill envoy

Kathmandu, Jan. 9

Shrinkhala Khatiwada, Miss Nepal 2018 and top 12 contestant of Miss World 2018, was appointed the Goodwill Ambassador for the commemorative events marking the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and France.

It was announced at a press meet after Nepal-France bilateral consultations held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday.

Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Shankar Das Bairagi and Secretary-General of French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs Maurice Gourdault-Montagne handed over the letter of appointment to Khatiwada.

"Her association with the anniversary is expected to contribute to reaching out to a wider public audience, especially the youth in conveying a message of goodwill, friendship and cooperation between the two countries," said MoFA.

Gourdault-Montagne is on a two-day official visit to Nepal.

Earlier, Gourdault-Montagne and Bairagi led their respective delegations to Nepal-France bilateral consultations held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singha Durbar, and Kathmandu. 

The two sides discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interests in the consultations.

They exchanged views on common values shared by both countries in their foreign policies and actions, as well as their preference for multilateralism and the rules-based international order, said MoFA.

They also emphasised the need for looking ahead and to address common global challenges, including social inequality, climate change, threat to multilateralism and developmental issues such as trade, investment, tourism, transportation, access to digitalisation, environment etc.

A special commemorative logo designed by Aayush Kunwar, a student of Ecole Victor Hugo Manjushree Vidyapith, was also unveiled during the press briefing.

Gourdault-Montagne will also pay a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali during this visit.

According to the MoFA, the Secretary General's visit is part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and France (established on 20 April 1949).  The French Embassy in Kathmandu in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal will be organising various events throughout 2019 to mark and celebrate the 70th anniversary. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 January 2019.