Al-Attiyah conveyed this message to the prime minister amidst widespread fears that he visited Nepal to offer economic packages in exchange for Nepal´s withdrawal of candidacy for the UNGA presidency. Nepal and Qatar are in the race for UNGA presidency. [break]
“He told the prime minister that Qatar will not link the UN presidency race with any economic packages,” said Milan Tuladhar, the prime minister´s foreign affairs advisor, said about the meeting.
At the meeting, the prime minister told the visiting envoy that Nepal has fielded its candidacy by virtue of its long contribution to the global body since 1955.
The envoy told the prime minister both the countries should engage in consultations to ensure a friendly contest for the coveted UN post. As the process of election in the Asia Group of the UN has already begun in New York, both Nepal and Qatar have intensified their lobbying for the presidency.
Nepal has fielded Kul Chandra Gautam, a former Assistant Secretary General, as its candidate while Qatari ambassador to the UN Nassir Abdulaziz is also in the race.
If the countries fail to reach a consensus, the Asian countries are scheduled to hold a rare balloting to choose between Gautam and Abdulaziz on February 25.
The prime minister and the envoy also discussed prospects of cooperation in tourism and civil aviation sectors, according to a foreign ministry official.
Related story
Qatari adventurer Fahad Badar climbs Ama Dablam summit
_20191222200001.jpg)
