The two prime ministers, who had arrived here to attend the UN General Assembly, held a meeting at Hotel Waldorf Astoria in New York.

On the occasion, the two leaders discussed the matters concerning current political situation of both the countries, bilateral relations and mutual interests. During the meeting, they exchanged views on political situation in both countries, important aspects of bilateral relations and the upcoming SAARC summit in Kathmandu, among others. They emphasized the importance of timely holding of the Nepal-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission.

On the occasion, Pakistani Prime Minister Sarif expressed eagerness to participate in the upcoming 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu and underlined the need to work in tandem to ensure further strong role and presence of SAARC in the region, stated officiating Secretary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bairagi, who also attended the meeting.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pandey, Prime Minster's foreign affairs advisor Dr Dinesh Bhattarai, Nepal's permanent representative to UN Durga Prasad Bhatatrai and Chief of Protocol Kali Prasad Pokharel were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minsiter Koirala and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina also held a meeting here on Thursday.

The two prime ministers had a meeting at Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York on the sidelines of the 69th United Nations General Assembly.

Matters related to contemporary political situation of both the nations, bilateral relations and mutual interests were discussed in the meeting.

On the occasion, Prime Minsiter Koirala had briefed the Bangladeshi Prime Minster about the progress being made in Nepal's ongoing peace process and constitution writing as well as the preparations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit to take place in Kathmandu.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had stressed the need for all countries of the SAARC to work together to make the regional body's role further effective.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Koirala was paid a courtesy call on by Ms. Wendy Sherman, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States of America.

During the meeting they exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interests. Views were exchanged on the peace process and the current political situation in Nepal, reads a statement issued by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, New York. RSS