EU ambassador meets Minister Khadka, discusses cooperation in climate response

KATHMANDU: European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nepal, Veronique Lorenzo, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, on Tuesday.

During the meeting, held at the minister's office in Singha Durbar, matters relating to EU assistance to Nepal in the energy, water resources, and irrigation sectors were discussed. They also touched on various other issues.

The EU has remained a reliable development partner of Nepal since the establishment of Nepal-EU diplomatic ties in 1974.

On the occasion, Minister Khadka acknowledged the EU's assistance to Nepal for the development of the energy, water resources, and tourism sectors. He also highlighted the EU's cooperation in developing clean energy, climate change response and economic stability.

Sharing Nepal's goal of producing 25,800 megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2035 AD with the EU ambassador, Minister Khadka expected significant support from development partners towards that end. He apprised her of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill, which has been presented to the parliament.

The ambassador stated that the EU is committed to further cooperating with Nepal's efforts for climate change response and the development of alternative energy. She also praised Nepal's energy cooperation with its neighbours.

According to Lorenzo, the EU will ensure further loans and grants for Nepal's energy sector, highlighting the EU's interest in investing in the Upper Arun and Dudhkoshi Reservoir-based projects. The two exchanged dialogues for the inauguration of the Chilime-Trishuli Transmission Line, developed with EU and German Development Bank (KfW) investment, according to the Minister's Secretariat.

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