A high-level European Union (EU) Troika arrived in Kathmandu Tuesday afternoon to assess the current political situation in Nepal.

The EU team led by Tom Phillips, Director for South Asia and Afghanistan at the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, representing the Presidency of the EU, is scheduled to hold meetings with senior political leaders, government officials, civil society representatives and the officials of the international missions based in Nepal.

The team also comprises of Herve Jouanjean, Deputy Director General of the European Commission, Nikolaus Scherk, Director of Asia and Oceana Department representing the incoming Austrian Presidency of the EU and Michael Swann who represents the EU’s High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Allan Percival, Second Secretary (Political) of the British Embassy that oversees the EU affairs in Nepal, informed Nepalnews that the EU delegation will disclose its assessment of the country’s situation after discussions with the political leaders, civil society and rights activities at the end of the visit on Thursday.

An EU Troika had visited Nepal in mid-December 2004 to acquire information on the state ongoing conflict in Nepal.