Kathmandu, Mar. 22:Minister for Foreign  Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola has said that he held  talks with the Bhutanese Foreign Minister on telephone on the refugee issue.

Talking to rss,   Minister Bastola said hmg is very much concerned to resolve the Bhutanese refugee issue since a long time.

Minister Bastola said that efforts would be made to make the relations with all friendly countries including India more cordial.

Earlier, minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola today went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and assumed office.

On the occasion, Mr Bastola said that the time had come for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to play a more efficient and effective role to safeguard national interest and economic development endeavour by intensifying the economic diplomacy by taking into account the changed world scenario and its realities.

The existing ties with the neighbouring countries should be made more cordial and fruitful by learning lessons from the glorious past and realising the present realities, he added.

The minister pointed out the need to review the works of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and missions under the Ministry to meet the challenges in international relations created by the unprecedented changes in the information and communications technology and to utilise the opportunities in an efficient manner.

Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Murari Raj Sharma welcomed the Minister on behalf of all the civil servants of the Ministry.