European Union Seeks To Work For Reconciliation And Against Polarisation
By Franz Ring
The European Union and its member countries are close friends of Nepal and partners in development cooperation. The EU fully supports the peace process and the efforts made by the Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists to bring about political stability and a lasting peace to Nepal . The EU is also looking forward to the elections for a constituent assembly.
Let me encourage all political forces in Nepal to contribute their shares to an environment that allows for free and fair elections to take place. The Gaur massacre drastically underlines the need to restore law and order.
Let me in this connection express my concern about the prevailing human rights situation. Just a few weeks ago the Industrial Security Group has made public its concern about continued extortion and other human rights abuses. The business community has demonstrated its determination to defend its interest with a peaceful strike, without exercising any coercion, forcing shut downs or banning traffic.
A lasting peace, political stability, law and order and a conducive macro-economic framework are essential prerequisites for business to flourish.
I would like to express my sincere hope that these conditions can be re-established in a not too distant future.
It is, finally, the private business, which provides the investment, growth and jobs which the country so desperately needs.
I would like to take this opportunity to recall an important recent event. The 25 March 2007 marks the 50 th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. Six countries (Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) founded the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) for joint research and civil use of nuclear energy. 50 years later, the European Communities have developed into the European Union which since the beginning of 2007 proudly counts a membership of 27 nations
The Member States enjoy close and friendly relations with Nepal . The EU policy towards Nepal is founded on the need to support the democratic political middle ground. The European Union seeks to work for reconciliation and against polarisation in the Nepalese society and continues to support the peace process. Human rights remain a central pillar of EU engagement.
The Member States and the European Commission together annually provide around 150 million US$ in development assistance to Nepal . Member countries and the Commission are assisting the Nepalese peace process by channelling aid out of ongoing projects towards areas of urgent need. In addition, extra funds and contributions are made available.
Bilateral trade and investment are other cornerstones of Nepal-EU relations. Europe is an important market for Nepalese export products. European tourists provide substantial contributions for this sector in Nepal and to its foreign exchange earnings.
Many cultural activities are part of the existing bilateral relations. Apart from numerous official projects, a great variety of private initiatives and of NGO form a comprehensive network between Europe and Nepal .
Europe will, for the first time, participate as an observer in the upcoming “South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation” (SAARC) summit in New Delhi . There are certainly many areas in which the EU might serve as an example for regional cooperation in South Asia . With the “South Asian Free Trade Association” (SAFTA) in place, SAARC has already a framework, within which economic cooperation can be intensified. It is now up to the private sector to make use of the opportunities offered by SAFTA.
I hope that the sweeping changes in the country and political improvements pave the way for a conducive business environment in which the Nepali economy can prosper.
(Excerpts of address delivered by German Ambassador, Franz Ring, at the 2nd Annual General Meeting of the European Economic Chamber of Trade, Commerce and Industry EEC - Nepal on 30 March)
