Nepal’s Prime Minister visits Norway

Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda will make an official visit to Norway on 30–31 March. Minister of the Environment and International Development will host the visit.

When Pushpa Kumal Dahal, known as Prachanda, took office in the summer of 2008, he became the world’s first democratically elected Maoist prime minister.

Prime Minister Prachanda will be given an audience at the Royal Palace and will meet Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, in addition to Mr Solheim. He will also have meetings in the Storting (the Norwegian Parliament), the Office of the Auditor General of Norway and a number of Norwegian organisations.

Prime Minister Prachanda will also visit the Solbergfoss hydroelectric power station in Østfold county. Nepal intends to step up the development of its hydropower resources to accelerate social and economic progress.

Norway has played a key role in the peace process in Nepal and is also an important aid donor. Norwegian development assistance to Nepal has increased significantly in recent years and amounted to about NOK 260 million in 2008. Priority areas for Norwegian assistance are education, energy and good governance. In addition, Norway will continue to support the peace process and the preparatory work for the new Constitution. Both Mr Stoltenberg and Mr Solheim visited Nepal in 2008.

Source: Regjeringen.no