Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, is arriving in Nepal on a one-day visit on February 8.
During the visit, Urpilainen will meet Nepali leaders and launch several EU actions in the country, according to a statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal.
“I am delighted to be visiting Nepal to strengthen our partnership and engage on matters of common geopolitical interest, not least Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which had disastrous consequences on food security in the world, including in Nepal,” Urpilainen was quoted in the statement. “I look forward to present our Global Gateway strategy, the EU’s positive offer to partners to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.”
The high-level EU official’s visit comes at an important moment as Nepal is preparing to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026, thus reaffirming the European Union’s strong and unwavering engagement with Nepal, including through the recent launch of the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Nepal for 2021-2027.
“Through the MIP, the European Union will contribute to Nepal’s green, resilient and inclusive development (GRID) effort to overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as requested by the government of Nepal,” the statement added.
EU’s action will focus on three priority areas – inclusive green growth to support efforts at local level to achieve a green economy, green jobs and sustainable growth in Nepal; human capital development in sectors matching government priorities for climate-resilient development, especially in the field of Education and nutrition, while giving adequate attention to regional disparities and human development indices; and good governance.
According to the statement, Commissioner Urpilainen will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and new Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Poudel, and launch a 50 million euros EU support to Nepal’s new education sector plan.
