Kathmandu, June 8: Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola met Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono at the latter’s office in Tokyo today, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Welcoming Mr Bastola, Minister Kono thanked him for attending the funeral of former prime minister late Keizo Obuchi.

Minister Bastola in return conveyed deep sorrow at the untimely death of Mr Obuchi and added that with Mr Obuchi’s death Nepal has lost a good friend.

Later in the meeting Minister Kono expressed satisfaction at the growing friendship between Nepal and Japan and hoped that the relationship between the two countries will grow even stronger in days ahead.

Minister Bastola told Minister Kono that Nepal and Japan share many commonalties, two of which being our common faith in the institution of monarchy and the ideals of democracy and open society.

Minister Kono appreciated the efforts being made by Nepal to eradicate poverty and bring about economic development.

Minister Bastola expressed grateful thanks on behalf of the people and government of Nepal to the people and government of Japan for the economic and technical assistance provided for Nepal’s development and further added that Japanese aid programme has started accruing tangible benefit to people.

While talking of various problems being faced by Nepal, Minister Bastola also briefed Minister Kono on the outcome of the recent ministerial level meeting between Nepal and Bhutan on Bhutanese refugee issue and said that although much progress has been made, Bhutanese side is yet to agree on the verification of refugee on family basis.

Minister Bastola also added that common friends of Nepal and Bhutan could play a meaningful role in helping both countries to expeditiously resolve this long standing problem. Expressing his wish to see an early end of Bhutanese refugee issue, Minister Kono said that he would consider all possible assistance Japan could provide on this matter.