A European Union delegation called ‘EU Troika’ that arrived in Kathmandu Tuesday has held discussions with the leaders of opposition political parties, inquiring about the current political situation in Nepal.

The EU troika during the discussions Tuesday evening queried about the role of a ceremonial king in a democracy, reports said. The delegation also interacted with the leaders on the future of ceremonial monarchy in Nepal in the context of active rule of King Gyanendra.

Issues like internal democracy in the parties, the multiparty democracy, elections and the ways to resolve the Maoist crisis also figured in the meeting, reports added.

“Apart from our plans for restoring inclusive democracy, the team asked us if there was any possibility for us to support the Maoists’ agenda,” a report said quoting leaders who attended the meeting said.

Leaders of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Mandal) and Nepal Sadbhawana Party were also present in the meeting, along with leaders of the agitating seven political parties.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Central Committee Member of NC (Democratic) Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said that the EU delegation was told that the parties have left the issue to the people to decide. “We said that constituent assembly can be a meeting point for all,” said Dr Mahat.

They told the team that no donors should provide aid to the current government headed by the king and which has persons of unsavory reputation.

The team is led by Tom Phillips, the director for South Asia and Afghanistan in the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, representing the presidency of the EU.

The team today will meet political party leaders that it did not meet yesterday, including NC president Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s leader.

It will also hold a meeting with the vice-chairman of the council of ministers, Dr Tulsi Giri and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ramesh Nath Pandey and National Human Rights Commission officials.

The team will also hold meetings with civil society representatives and the officials of the international missions based in Nepal.

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