Koirala, Jospin hold bilateral talks

Paris, Mar. 7 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Prime Minister of France Lionel Jospin held offical talks in a cordial atmosphere here Tuesday.

Earlier, Prime Minister Koirala was warmly received by French Prime Minister Jospin at the latter's office.

Also present on the occasion were Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola, Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, Royal Nepalese Ambassador in Paris Indra Bahadur Singh and high level HMG officials.

According to a press communique issued by the Royal Nepalese Embassy here, this visit to France by Prime Minister Koirala' is regarded as an important event in the 150 years long history.

At the talks, French Prime Minister Jospin described political relation between Nepal and France as a glorious one and said that the same should also reflect in the economic ties between the two countries.

Welcoming the on-going activities in the democratic process of Nepal, French Prime Minister Jospin hoped that the process would continue to grow further in the future.

The French Prime Minister also lauded the role Prime Minister Koirala played for the cause of democracy in Nepal, says the press communique.

At the talks, French Premier Jospin was apprised of the process of economic reforms made in the context of Nepal's development needs after the restoration of democracy in Nepal.

As regards Nepal's request for increased French investment in Nepalese private sector for promotion of Nepal-France economic ties as well as for putting Nepal on the latter's priority country list, Prime Minister Jospin pledged reconsideration in that connection in the future.

The communique says that in the course of the talks, France has pledged its cooperation in some projects aimed at improving the relations between the two countries.

Globalisation and SAARC including South Asian and international situations and other topics of mutual interests also figured at the talks between the two Prime Ministers.

On the occasion, French Premier Jospin pointed out the cooperation extended by European union and France to the developing countries.

At the talks Prime Minister Koirala extended an invitation to French Prime Minister Jospin to pay an official visit to Nepal.

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