Kathmandu, Jan. 6 : Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that Nepal-Mongolia relations are marked by understanding, cooperation and friendship, and that this relationship has been further strengthened by exchanges of high level visits.
The Prime Minister, who was speaking at a dinner hosted by him in honour of President of Mongolia Natsagiin Bagabandi and Madame A. Oyunbileg here this evening, said our shared faith in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha are best reflected in our pursuit of a peaceful world. The five sacred princples of peaceful coexistence have found eloquent expression in the shaping of our regional and international outlook.
Mr Koirala said as both Nepal and Mongolia are landlocked developing countries, we strongly feel that there is a greater need to further cooperate with each other in meeting the common interests of landlocked developing countries.
A consolidated and reformed world organisation should remain the priority of the international community, he said, adding, we feel that lasting global peace and overall progress depend upon the promotion of a comprehensive and equitable world order.
The enhanced prosperity of the entire world is in the interest of all, he further said. Developing countries like ours may need to make concerted efforts to this end.
Pointing out that the international community is looking forward to having a new world order equipped with the corresponding international institutional mechanism in order to best cope with the problems facing developing countries, he said Nepal and Mongolia can cooperate with each other, both at the bilateral as well as the international levels, for ensuring a better future of our respective countries and peoples.
Remarking that we in Nepal, are gearing our efforts towards economic development within the democratic framework and liberal economic principles, he said with the restoration of democracy in 1990, Nepal has been making steady progress towards its consolidation, steps have been initiated and the institutional mechanisms have been put in place in order to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level and promote development with the active participation of the local people.
Expressing confidence that the Mongolian president’s state visit at the invitation of His Majesty the King will contribute in further strengthening the relations of friendship and understanding so happily subsisting between Nepal and Mongolia, he said this visit will also help enhance the level of cooperation our two countries have been injoying ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1961.
In his reply speech on the occasion, Mongolian president Natsagiin Bagabandi said similar art and culture and love for peace are the main basis of relations between Nepal and Mongolia and expressed conviction that these relations will deepen further in the new century.
Stating that Nepal is known as a country of the Himalayas in Mongolia, president Bagabandi expressed the view that the bilateral talks held during the visit would help enhance mutual trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, National Assembly Chairman Dr Mohammad Mohasin, Raj Parishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr Kesarjung Rayamajhi and Leader of the main opposition party Madhav Kumar Nepal were also present on the occasion.
Also present were the Deputy Prime Minister, ex-prime ministers, ministers, heads of constitutional bodies, members of the Mongolian President’s entourage and high ranking officials of His Majesty’s Government.
The national anthems of both countries were played on the occasion.