The 9th session of the Nepal-European Union Joint Commission was held on Tuesday in Kathmandu. During the meeting, different issues of mutual interest between Nepal and the European Union were discussed.

The two sides exchanged views on post earth-quake reconstruction and European Union assisted development programmes in Nepal including future priorities.They also exchanged views on trade and investment, human rights, refugee issues as well as global issues like Post-15 Development Agenda and international climate change negotiations.

The Nepalese delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, Nepali Ambassador to the European Union Ram Mani Pokharel and senior officials from different Ministries of the Government of Nepal.

Acting Managing Director for Asia and Pacific of the European External Action Service Ugo Astuto led the delegation of the European Union. Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Nepal Rensje Teerink, and other senior EU officials were also part of European Union delegation.

Later today,Ugo Astuto paid a courtesy call to Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa at the latter's office in Singha Durbar. Various issues of bilateral interest were discussed during the meeting.