“We warmly welcome the recent discharge of former Maoist combatants opting for voluntary retirement,” the Danish Embassy, currently the local presidency of the EU, said in a statement issued on behalf of the EU missions, Norway and Switzerland, on Tuesday. [break]
They further said, “We note the allegations of financial irregularities and emphasis that the payments the former combatants receive must remain theirs alone to invest in their futures.”
They have also expressed their happiness over the plan to close half of the 28 cantonments.
“.. The planned closure of some satellite cantonments would be a visible step forward in Nepal´s transition from conflict,” they said in a statement, urging the political parties to move ahead swiftly to resolve the future of those who have opted for integration into the national army.
“This calls for continued dialogue, flexibility and compromise from all political parties,” the European missions said.
In addition, they have also urged the political parties to move ahead to draft a democratic and inclusive new constitution with adequate checks and balances.
“The form of federalism is for the Constituent Assembly to decide, based on the aspirations of all Nepali citizens. But there are international standards of democracy and human rights that Nepal should maintain,” they said in the statement, renewing their concern over impunity and weakness in the proposed bills related to transitional justice system.
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