Meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Japan and Nepal
(Summary and Evaluation)
June 8, 2000
On June 7, for approximately 15 minutes beginning at 17:50, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono met with Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Nepal, Chakra Prasad Bastola, who was visiting Japan to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. The following is a summary and evaluation of this meeting.
Summary
1. Bilateral relations
(1) The two foreign ministers recognized the fact that the two countries had traditionally maintained good relations in a variety of fields, and in particular, the very trusting and warm relationship between the two countryies' imperial and royal houses.
Foreign Minister Kono said that in order to further strengthen the existing relationship, he would like to invite Crown Prince Dipendra to visit Japan during the course of this year, the coordination of which will be handled through diplomatic channels.
Foreign Minister Bastola stated that, based upon the common aspects of the two countries, namely the existence of traditional imperial and royal houses, and of parliamentary systems, he hoped that the relationship between the two countries would be further developed in the future.
(2) Foreign Minister Bastola expressed his thanks for Japan's economic and technical assistance, which has tremendously contributed to Nepal's modernization and economic development, and the reduction of poverty, while Foreign Minister Kono expressed high praise for Nepal's efforts in pursuit of democratization and economic liberalization.
2. The issue of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal
With respect to the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal, a long-standing issue for the past 10 years, Foreign Minister Kono commended the efforts by the Nepalese side, and stated his hope that Nepal and Bhutan would find an early solution to one of the refugee issues arousing worldwide concern. He said that while this problem should be solved through bilateral talks between Nepal and Bhutan, he wished to see whether there would be any room for Japan's help.
Foreign Minister Bastola stated that although they regrettably did not reach agreement on some points at the ninth Nepal-Bhutan foreign ministers' meeting held recently, they would continue to work toward its a solution.
(3) Finally, Foreign Minister Bastola invited Foreign Minister Kono to visit Nepal at a time convenient to him.
Evaluation
1. Bilateral relations
(1) Attention was focused on the meeting because it was the first Japan-Nepal foreign ministers' meeting after the inauguration of the administration of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala in March of this year.
(2) With regard to the traditionally friendly relations symbolized by exchanges of visits between the imperial and royal houses, the relationship has recently been activated by exchanges of cabinet ministers and parliamentarians, such as the recent visits to Japan by Prime Minister Koirala (1998), Chairman of the National Council Beni Bahadur Karki (1998), and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Nepal Taranath Ranabhat (2000). In this context, Foreign Minister Kono's invitation to Crown Prince Dipendra to visit Japan, which will be coordinated through diplomatic channels, is an important step in further deepening future relations between Japan and Nepal.
2. The issue of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal
With respect to the solution of this issue, it is encouraging that Nepal has adopted a forward-looking posture.
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