KATHMANDU, April 2: The government of Portugal has announced plans to open a consular office in Kathmandu, a move aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and supporting the Nepali community in Portugal.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel made the announcement during a telephone conversation with Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, on Wednesday. According to Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rangel also congratulated Khanal on his recent appointment and highlighted the establishment of the consular office as a step to boost cooperation in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and technology.
Nepal embassy team in Portugal to provide consular services
Nepal has long sought a Portuguese diplomatic presence in the capital. Over 60,000 Nepalis currently live in Portugal, many of whom face challenges in document verification due to the lack of a local mission. The new office is expected to ease these difficulties.
During the conversation, Minister Khanal requested that Portugal address legal issues faced by Nepalis on humanitarian grounds, particularly problems arising from forged stamps in document verification. Rangel expressed a positive stance on resolving these concerns, the ministry stated in a press statement.
