Change in govt won’t affect SAARC, says DPM Oli

March 28, 2007
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister KP Sharma Oli

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister KP Sharma Oli (File Photo)
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Khadga Prasad Oli has said Nepal’s preparations for next week’s 14th SAARC Summit won’t be affected even if there is a change in the government before that.

“Nepal will attend the Summit even if there is change in the government,” he said.

Oli, however, added that a person who is knowledgeable on regional issues should attend the Summit.

Oli said that this time Nepal will press for the implementation of earlier agreements made by the SAARC leaders. Oli said he would be leaving for New Delhi to attend the Summit on March 31.

He informed that this year’s SAARC will decide to set up SAARC University, telemedicine project and museum for handicrafts, among others. He also informed an umbrella SAARC Development Fund is also in the offing.

On the sidelines of the meeting, he said he will meet with Bhutanese minister on refugee issues.

The 14th SAARC Summit is going to be held in New Delhi on April 3-4. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala will leave for New Delhi on April 1 and lead the Nepali delegation at the regional summit. This year, Afghanistan will be welcomed as the eighth member of the regional group. Likewise, the US, EU, China, Japan and South Korea will attend the summit as observers.