Kathmandu: Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola called on Mme. Sadako Ogata, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (unhcr) in Geneva yesterday and discussed the Bhutanese refugee problem with her.

During the meeting, Minister Bastola appreciated the contributions of Mme. Ogata for the cause of refugees throughout the world.

Appreciating the assistance and cooperation of the unhcr, Mr Bastola said that without which the care and maintenance of the Bhutanese refugees would have been very difficult.

Mr Bastola also briefed Mme. Ogata about the status of the negoitiations currently going on between Nepal and Bhutan.

UN high commissioner for refugees stressed the need of an early resolution of the Bhutanese refugee problem through conclusion of an agreement.

Likewise, Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola met Mr Thorbjorn Jagland, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway and exchanged views on the state of bilateral relations existing between the two countries.

On the occasion Mr Bastola appreciated the cooperation and assistance being extended by Norway to Nepal especially in the field of hydro power sector.

Mr Bastola urged the Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs to extend their increased assistance to Nepal.

Norwegian Minister Jagland expressed the willingness of the Norwegian government to cooperate with His Majesty’s Government of Nepal.

Meanwhile, Mr B. Mackineley, director general of the International Organization for Migration called on Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola yesterday and briefed him about the activities and programmes of the international organization for migration.

On the occasion, they also discussed the issue of the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal.

Mr mackineley expressed the willingness of the International Organization for migration to cooperate with Nepal in different areas like trafficking of women, migration awareness programme, etc.