Kathmandu, Apr. l9: Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola returned here today after leading the Nepalese delegation to the 56th meeting of the Human Rights Commission held in Geneva, Switzerland, the l3th ministerial level meeting of the Non Aligned Movement held in Cartegena, Colombia and the first South Summit Conference of the Group of 77 developing countries in Havana, Cuba.

Talking to journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport, Foreign Minister Bastola said that during the meeting of foreign ministers of Non Aligned countries held in Cartegena, views were exchanged on international and regional matters, and extensive discussions held on taking the Non Aligned Movement forward in the days ahead.

Pointing out that serious exchanges of views took place on whether or not the non aligned movement is needed now that the cold war has ended and if it is needed how it should be taken forward, he said the meeting focused for the most part on turning the Non Aligned Movement towards the economic development of developing countries.

During his visit, Foreign Minister Bastola held informal bilateral talks on various aspects of the promotion of regional interests with the Foreign Ministers of India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and other countries.

He also said the visit to Nepal by British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook starting tomorrow will help further deepen the harmonious relations that have existed between the two countries since years back and discussions will be held on matters of bilateral interest.

Discussions are also likely to be held during Mr Cook’s visit on bilateral cooperation in Nepal’s economic development, the construction of roads and bridges in Eastern Nepal, the rights and interests of former Gurkha troops and facilities for them.

Stating that informal talks were held with the Foreign Minister of Bhutan on resolving the problem of Bhutanese refugees, he said he put it to his Bhutanese counterpart that formal talks should be held at political level and the Bhutanese side also showed interest in resolving the refugee problem.

In his meetings with Foreign Ministers of saarc countries extensive discussions were held on ways to remove the obstacles in the way of saarc activities, he said adding that everyone was of the view that such obstacles should be done away with.