NEPAL-MONGOLIA TIES: Views similar: HM, Opportunities promising: Bagabandi

January 5, 2001
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Kathmandu, Jan. 5 : His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has said that Lord Buddha’s message of peace and non violence through the ages, has remained a spiritual link between Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha, and Mongolia which has a predominantly Buddhist population.

His Majesty said this at a state banquet hosted in honour of visiting president of Mongolia Natsagiin Bagabandi and Madame A. Oyunbileg at Narayanhity Royal Palace this evening.

His Majesty the King said these ties have been further strengthened after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1961, adding that the state visit to Mongolia the same year by His late Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah remains a significant milestone in our relations.

His Majesty expressed confidence that the present visit by president Bagabandi will add a new dimension to this relationship.

Observing that as land locked nations, our geo-political requirements and realities are also similar, His Majesty said both our countries are committed to democratic norms and human rights and our policies are based on our desire for peace and equality along with the respect for each other’s aspirations and national interest.

Both Nepal and Mongolia are guided by the principles enshrined in the charter of the United Nations organisation and share similar views on many international issues, His Majesty noted.

With the end of the cold war, developing nations had hoped to receive a fair share of the dividends of prosperity. However, the international environment is not yet favourable for them even today, His Majesty said adding that moreover globalisation has caused greater hardship for countries like ours, which have a paucity of resources.

Making use of the positive aspects of the prevailing world order in the interest of our nations, we should direct our efforts towards the creation of a prosperous and self reliant society, His Majesty said adding, taking this into consideration, my government has accorded priority to combating poverty in our national development endeavours.

Appreciating the President’s personal interest and that of the government of Mongolia in the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, His Majesty said there is potential for mutual cooperation between Nepal and Mongolia and our two countries, similar in stages of development, can learn a lot from each other’s experiences.

Areas can be identified to further consolidate the ties of friendship and mutual cooperation between our two countries in the coming years, His Majesty also said.

In his reply speech at the state banquet, president of Mongolia Natsagiin Bagabandi said the friendly relations and close spiritual, cultural and historical ties between the peoples of Mongolia and Nepal have a centuries-old tradition, adding that the peoples of the two countries have eternally been tied with bonds of destinies and the precious teachings of Lord Buddha.

Referring to the Mongolia saying “made of talented skills of a Palpa gold-smith”, he said this widely-spoken proverb also indicates the ancient ties existing between our two countries. These ties based on centuries-old religious, cultural and household bonds had successfully grown in the second half of the 20th century, and it was symbolic that the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries coincided with this visit.

Referring to scope for further development of the relationship and cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and other fields including in the international arena, he expressed support in regard to the proposal advanced by the Nepalese side to set up a joint inter-governmental committee headed by foreign ministers.

There are promising opportunities for promoting trade and economic relations between our two countries, he said and suggested undertaking an active study for opportunities on either side.

Referring also to possibilities on both sides to interact in the fields of tourism, health and humanitarian activities, he spoke of interest in learning from the Nepalese experience in UN peace keeping services and of the possibility for the two sides to exchange experiences in folk or traditional medicine. He expressed gratefulness for support and assistance in the project to build a Mongolian Buddhist temple at Lumbini .

Pointing out the many geographical similiarities between both Mongolia and Nepal which are land-locked and have immediate borders with only two neighbours, he said it is possibile and even essential to have an exchange of experiences on these and other issues and actively interact in the international arena for seeking ways to overcome problems caused by land-lockedness.

Since Mongolia and Nepal are both non-aligned, developing countries it is important for us to exchange views and mutually support each other within the UN, NAM and the group of 77, the president said and hoped his proposals for further promoting relations and cooperation both on bilateral and multilateral basis will meet with full approval.

Her Majesty the Queen also attended the state banquet.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and other members of the royal family were also present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, the speaker, the National Asembly Chairman, the Raj Parishad Standing Committee Chairman, and heads of constitutional bodies were also present at the state banquet.

Also present on the occasion were the Deputy Prime Minister, the Leader of the Main Opposition Party, ministers, high ranking officials of the Royal Palace Service and HMG and members of the entourage of the Mongolian president.

The national anthems of both the countries were played during the state banquet.