Wednesday, July 19, 2006

By Ambassador Keshav Raj Jha, Nepal

France is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It borders the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy.

The Literacy of French Republic is 99%. Its religion predominantly consists of approximately 83-88 percent Roman Catholic whereas others are Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5 to 10 % and unaffiliated 4%.

In France, the President is the chief of state while the Prime Minister is the head of the Government. The Council of Ministers is appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister, while president is elected by popular vote for a seven-year term. Prime minister is nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president. French legislative constitutes a bicameral Parliament. It consists of the Senate, 321 seats and the National Assembly 577 seats.

Nepal has a lot of things to learn from the government and people of France. In Nepal, for the past 15 years, we have been lamenting of transition in the country and recently we entered into another transition. Transition from development and transition of derailment has its own cost on the people and future of the country. France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms.

The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers. It retains controlling stakes in several leading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales, and is dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. In Nepal we also tried to enter into market economy and promoted privatization but our privatization drive could not achieve a desired success.

In Nepal the leadership of political parties and the government always love to be called in learning process and keep blaming on previous and past systems and leaders and some individuals for the plight of the country and population but keep failing in bringing consistence in policy and programmes and as well as craftsmanship in state affairs. Compared to this sad situation of Nepal, France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare.

The government has lowered income taxes and introduced measures to boost employment and reform the pension system. In addition, it is focusing on the problems of the high cost of labor and labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35-hour workweek and restrictions on lay-offs. France has successfully resolved a recent new wave of labor problem and problem of immigrant population but Nepal will in the future, definitely face similar problem; the problem of floating population from inside and the neighboring countries. It is yet to be seen as to how Nepal will deal with this upcoming problem.

What Next?

In 1949, France took the initiative and proposed to establish diplomatic ties with Nepal . Consequently, Nepal and France established diplomatic relation in April 20, 1949 . The establishment of diplomatic relations was a gesture shown by France to express its appreciation the peace-loving nature of the Nepali people and the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Nepal .

France is a member of the Nepal Aid Group although Nepal is not under the country strategy of France. France has always been a potential market for Nepalese products. She is also an important trading partner of Nepal within the European Union. Nepal should take advantages of its deep-rooted friendship with France which was always sympathetic to Least developed country like Nepal and willing to help it by all means.

In the field of cultural co-operation, France has the desire to promote its educational system, particularly by giving scholarships for Nepalese students in vocational trainings as hotel management, telecommunications, and civil aviation.

The economic cooperation program was initiated in February 1981 when two countries signed the first protocol amounting to French Franc 50 million. Nepal and France have signed an agreement concerning Reciprocal promotion and protection of investment in 1983. But Nepal has not been able to take benefit out of it. Persistent efforts should be made to revive it and activate it for the mutual benefit of both the countries.

Nepali Diplomatic mission based in Paris has to play, without any doubt, lead role to expedite ways to improve economic as well as cultural and social ties. But unfortunately successive governments of almost a decade have not given enough attention and Nepali mission is Paris is not seen to have made any successful stride in this regard.

To correct the past mistakes and pay due attention in the relations between the two countries should be the first and foremost step of the present and future governments in order to give a new dimension to a time tested relation between Nepal and France in the new historic context.

The first official visit of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to France from 5 to 9 March 2001, after Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana in August 1850 had brought fresh impetus to the bilateral relations, which needs further consolidation through exchange of high level visits.

During Prime Minister Koirala’s visit, discussions were held on matters of mutual interest, more particularly to enhance the scope of interactions and cooperation between the two countries.

Apparently, due to the language barrier, Nepali leaders prefer to skirt-off their visit to France even though they frequent in various countries in Europe. Nepal needs improvement in this area.

Obviously, the recent interest shown by the friendly countries and donors in the recent political development have added a new dimensions as we all agree that a sound and pragmatic foreign policy at this age of globalization will lead to a broad understanding of issues, which is critical at this defining moment of our history.

France has shown tremendous gesture by welcoming the reinstatement of Parliament in Nepal that was dissolved in 2002. France has also called on the seven-party alliance to form the future Nepali government in the spirit of consensus it has forged in the opposition. This gesture has further consolidated our friendship, which has been happily subsisting over the period of six decades.