PH, Nepal Establish Bilateral Consultation Mechanism
The Philippine delegation (left side), led by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Meynardo LB. Montealegre (third from left) and the Nepalese delegation (right side), headed by Joint Secretary Tapas Adhikari (second from right), during the bilateral meeting after the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between the Philippines and Nepal. The meeting was held at the Senate Hall of the Yak & Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal. (DFA-ASPAC photo)
KATHMANDU 10 December 2019 — The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Establishment of a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between the Philippines and Nepal in a ceremony held in Kathmandu on 01 December 2019. The agreement formalizes the framework for regular meetings between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries to facilitate bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
At the exchange of views after the signing ceremony, head of the Philippine delegation Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Meynardo LB. Montealegre said that the agreement is an important highlight of the two countries’ commemorative activities leading to the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Philippine-Nepal diplomatic relations on 12 February 2020. On the side of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Joint Secretary Tapas Adhikari expressed optimism that the agreement would pave the way for stronger ties resulting in more engagements in various sectors. Both delegations identified education and training, disaster risk management, trade, investment and tourism as priority areas for closer collaboration.
Also present during the bilateral meeting were Philippine Non-Resident Ambassador to Nepal Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr., Director for South and Central Asia Rona Beth G. Goce, Principal Assistant Jorge Philippe A. Arjona, and Desk Assistant for South Asia Princess Sharon Rose S. Satin. The Nepalese delegation was led by Joint Secretary Adhikari, who signed the MOU. He was joined by Undersecretary Illa Mainali, Section Officer Ram Babu and Buddhamaya Bhattarai of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. END
Philippine Ambassador to India and Non-Resident Ambassador to Nepal Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr. signs the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. (DFA-ASPAC photo)
From left to right: The Philippine delegation consists of Desk Assistant for South Asia Princess Sharon S. Satin, Principal Assistant Jorge Philippe A. Arjona, Director for South and Central Asia Rona Beth G. Goce, and Philippine Ambassador to India Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr., Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Meynardo LB. Montealegre, while the Nepalese delegation includes Joint Secretary Tapas Adhikari, Undersecretary Illa Mainali, Section Officer Ram Babu, and Buddhamaya Bhattarai of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. (DFA-ASPAC photo)
Philippine Non-Resident Ambassador to Nepal Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr. exchanges the Memorandum of Understanding with Joint Secretary Tapas Adhikari of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DFA-ASPAC photo)