The Nepal Weekly 
February 7, 2023
European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen is arriving in Kathmandu on February 8 on a one-day official visit to Nepal.
A press statement issued by Foreign Ministry on Sunday stated that the visiting delegate will meet Nepali leaders and launch several European Union actions in the country during her visit.”I am delighted to be visiting Nepal to strengthen our partnership and engage on matters of common geopolitical interest, not least Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which had disastrous consequences on food security in the world, including in Nepal,” reads the statement, “I look forward to present our Global Gateway strategy, the EU’s positive offer to partners to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.”
Commissioner Urpilainen’s visit comes at an important moment as Nepal is preparing to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026, thus reaffirming the European Union’s strong and unwavering engagement with Nepal, including through the recent launch of the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Nepal for 2021-2027.
As per the statement, commissioner Urpilainen will visit the Human Milk Bank at the Paropakar Maternity and Women’s hospital, and renew the EU’s commitment to the Multi-Sector Nutrition Programme of the Government (supported by the EU, Germany and UNICEF) with Minister for Health and Population Padam Giri.
Likewise, the visiting delegate will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Puahpa Kamal Dahal and Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Poudel and launch a €50 million EU support to Nepal’s new education sector plan with Education Minister Shishir Khanal.
During her visit, commissioner Urpilainen will also meet with civil society organisations, members of the business community, and representatives of the International Financial Institutions.
“She will also meet with members of the EU Youth Sounding Board, a consultative space for Nepalese youth to have an influence on the EU’s action in Nepal, making it more relevant and effective for them,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, commissioner Urpilainen will also launch the Team Europe Initiative on Green Recovery with the ambassadors of the EU Member States resident in Nepal (France, Finland & Germany), Government representatives, Development Partners, and private sector and civil society representatives.
