Kathmandu, Jan. 9
Japan has opened its sky for Nepali airlines to operate direct flights.
Nepal and Japan on Wednesday signed the exchange of notes for revising
the Air Service Agreement between Nepal and Japan signed in 1993 to allow Nepali
airlines to operate direct flights to Japanese airports except for Haneda.
"The exchange of notes has paved the way for the operation of
direct flight between the two countries," said Minister for Foreign
Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali at a joint press conference with his Japanese
counterpart Taro Kono in the capital.
The two countries had reviewed the agreement in June last year and
agreed to activate the new provision after the exchange of notes.
So far, Nepali airlines were allowed to land at and take off from the
Osaka Airport only. As per the new agreement Nepali airlines can operate 14
flights per week to Japan.
"We hope that Nepal Airlines Corporation will operate its direct
flights to Japan at the earliest," said Kono.
Similarly, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on conducting bilateral
consultation has been signed between the two countries.
"The MoC will provide a platform to both countries to discuss
modalities for extending the cooperation, review all aspects of bilateral
relations, explore new areas of cooperation and exchange views on regional and
global issues of mutual concerns," said Gyawali.
Similarly, Gyawali and Kono discussed bilateral cooperation for the
implementation of infrastructure, connectivity and energy projects in Nepal and
Japanese investment in priority sectors here.
Similarly, Nepal appealed to the Japanese investors and entrepreneurs
for their active participation in the upcoming Nepal Investment Summit which
will be held in March this year.
Likewise, Foreign Minister Gyawali thanked the Japanese government for
including Nepal as a source country for labour. The two countries have agreed
to conclude an MoC on the topic as soon as possible.
Japanese Minister Kono said that periodic meetings between the two
countries would be continued in the future in order to strengthen the relations
and enhance cooperation.
He said that Nepal and Japan had cultural, economic and people to people
relations.
The two sides also stressed on the need of joint efforts for tourism
promotion of Nepal in Japan in order to make the Visit Nepal Year 2020 successful.
"We have underscored the need of continued exchange of high-level
visits in order to take measures for further elevating our bilateral
relations," said Gyawali.
The two ministers addressed the joint press meet after bilateral talks here.
Kono is in Nepal on a two-day visit leading an 18-member delegation. He
is scheduled to call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP
Sharma Oli
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