New Zealand’s top diplomat pays visit to Nepal

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters arrived in the Himalayan nation of Nepal on Wednesday.

It marked the first-ever official visit to Nepal by a New Zealand deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Peters met with President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba in Kathmandu.

He discussed "shared interests in regional and global security" during his meeting with the Nepali president and premier, according to his X account.

“We discussed New Zealand’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the importance of working together to uphold the rules-based international system,” said Peters, referring to his meeting with the president and prime minister.

He said they also discussed "the multiple pressures on the global trade and economic system and ways we can strengthen bilateral cooperation."

Peters also said that the “ambition to have an Air Services Agreement between New Zealand and Nepal in place in the near future to support the growth of tourism and trade” was also discussed.

“The New Zealand Government is committed to bringing more energy to our relationships in South and Southeast Asia, and we are pleased to count Nepal amongst our most long-standing relationships in the region,” he added.

The two foreign ministers also discussed their countries’ development and education ties. New Zealand will contribute NZ$2.5 million ($1.4 million) to development projects and scholarships in Nepal over the next three years.

“We acknowledged Nepal’s positive contribution to climate action and noted that Nepal is able to draw on New Zealand’s NZ$15 million contribution to the Global Green Growth Institute,” Peters added.