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Kathmandu Sunday January 07, 2001 Paush 23, 2057.
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| President
of Mongolia Natsagiin Bagabandi and the First Lady Madame Oyunbileg offer Puja at
Swayambhu on Saturday. |
Nepal-Mongolia to set joint body to review
relations
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 6 - Marking the first ever state visit by the
Mongolian head of State, Nepal and Mongolia today agreed to establish a joint commission
at the Foreign Ministerial level to act as an umbrella body to review the various aspects
of bilateral relations.
Talking to reporters after the official talks at Singha
Durbar this evening, Mongolian President Natsagiin Bagabandi, also declared that Mongolia
will be opening an honorary consulate in Nepal.
The three-day visit of President Bagabandi, who arrived here
from New Delhi on Friday, marks the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic
relations between the two countries.
During the occasion, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala
said that the two countries have also agreed to "explore further areas of
co-operation in various fields including trade, investment, tourism and science and
technology".
"The two countries will also continue to co-operate
closely for promoting the cause of the landlocked developing countries in various
international forums," PM Koirala said.
Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola and his Mongolian
counterpart, L. Erdenechuluun, signed the framework agreement on bilateral co-operation
today. President Bagabandi and Prime Minister Koirala were also present during the
signing.
"The agreement envisages to foster co-operation in
various fields including agriculture, livestock, pasture and handicrafts," PM Koirala
said.
Responding to queries on Mongolia’s interest of
co-operation from Nepal’s peace-keeping missions, President Bagabandi said that much
was a part of "sharing experiences" with Nepal.
"Mongolia is committed to reform its defence policy and
one of it is to participate in UN peace-keeping process...there is a lot to learn from
Nepalese participation," he said.
When asked about Mongolia’s stand on the much-talked
United States’ initiation on building a Anti-Missile Defence Shield, President
Bagabandi said that his country would not support the US initiative as it "would push
nuclear arms race" globally.
"Both Nepal and Mongolia are surrounded by nuclear
powers. Mongolia in 1992 was declared a nuclear free zone which was even approved by the
53th UN General Assembly...We would not support national defence initiative of US,"
President Bagabandi said.
President Bagabandi further said that Nepal’s
"initiative to declare her as a Zone of Peace is commendable." "We support
the Nepalese proposal," he said.
Though Nepal vigorously pushed ahead its Zone of Peace
proposal during the partyless Panchayat system and garnered support of over 140 sovereign
nations world over, the issue has never figured out in Nepal’s international
relations in the post democratic period. Neither the proposal has been officially
scrapped. Meanwhile, earlier this morning, President Bagabandi, and the Mongolian First
Lady A. Oyunbileg went on a sightseeing tour around the Swayambhunath Stupa area.
Likewise, RSS adds that Their Majesties King Birendra Bir
Bikram Shah and Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, alongwith President Bagabandi and
his spouse observed archaeological sites at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, today.
Their Majesties and the distinguished guests also offered
worship at the Mayadevi Temple and observed the stone on which Lord Buddha first set foot
after his birth.
On the occasion, in the presence of Their Majesties, the
Mongolian President and his spouse laid the foundation stone of Gandantek Chengling
Monastery.
The Monastery, being constructed on a plot of land of about
one bigha, is to be built in the Mongolian Style in the Lumbini Monastic Zone.
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