Speaker Aryal Meets with US Acting Ambassador Skatka in Courtesy Visit
News Summary
Editorial Reviewed.
- A courtesy meeting was held between Nepal’s Acting US Ambassador Skatka and Speaker of the House of Representatives Dol Prasad Aryal.
- Acting Ambassador Skatka expressed the United States’ readiness to continue cooperation for Nepal’s long-term friendly relations and good governance.
- Speaker Aryal informed that the Nepal-US Parliamentary Friendship Group is currently undergoing a reorganization process.
May 29, Kathmandu – Acting US Ambassador to Nepal Skatka has reaffirmed America’s commitment to a long-term cooperative relationship with Nepal.
During a courtesy visit with Speaker of the House of Representatives Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, Acting Ambassador Skatka reiterated the United States’ dedication to the enduring friendly and cooperative relationship between Nepal and the US.
He conveyed the US’s eagerness to continue reinforcing democratic values, good governance, economic development, and people-to-people ties, according to the Speaker’s Secretariat.
In the meeting, Speaker Aryal highlighted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the US in 1947, the two countries have maintained a close, cordial, and cooperative relationship grounded in mutual respect, development assistance, and people-to-people connectivity. He noted that both countries share and uphold common values such as democracy, human rights, and freedom.
Referring to the upcoming 80th anniversary of Nepal-US diplomatic relations next year, he expressed confidence that the milestone would provide an opportunity to review the friendship, cooperation, and partnership maintained over eight decades, and to further strengthen future ties. He also suggested organizing parliamentary exchange programs during this occasion to enhance relations between the legislatures and representatives of both countries.
Speaker Aryal informed that the process of reactivating the Nepal-US Parliamentary Friendship Group is underway. He further stressed the importance of reactivating a similar friendship group within the US legislature.
He expressed belief that such friendship groups play a crucial role in promoting parliamentary cooperation, trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
Acknowledging the United States as a significant development partner for Nepal, Speaker Aryal appreciated America’s contributions to Nepal’s social and economic development, institutional strengthening, and human capital development since the 1950s. He affirmed Nepal’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expressed expectation of continued US support and cooperation in the future.
He also recalled that following the successful conclusion of the parliamentary elections, Nepal has entered a new phase in its political journey. The current government remains dedicated to stability, transformation, transparency, good governance, and institutional reform. He noted the House of Representatives is actively working on legislation, effective executive oversight, constructive parliamentary debate, and protecting democratic values in line with the people’s expectations for good governance and rapid economic development.
Nepal and the United States established diplomatic relations on April 25, 1947. After the United Kingdom, the US was the second country with which Nepal established diplomatic ties. Nepal opened its embassy in Washington D.C. in February 1958, while the US inaugurated its embassy in Kathmandu in August 1959.