Kathmandu: Nepal and Romania held the first meeting of the Nepal–Romania Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania in Bucharest on May 4, marking a significant step toward deepening diplomatic engagement and expanding bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The Nepali delegation was led by Amb. Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, Joint Secretary and Head of the Europe Division at Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Romanian side was headed by Diana Tase, Acting Director General for Asia Pacific and Latin America Directorate at Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Nepali delegation included Chargé d’Affaires of Nepal’s Embassy in Berlin Sagar Prasad Phuyal, Under Secretary Uttam Ghimire, and Third Secretary Deependra Prasad Sah. Romanian officials from the Asia Pacific and Latin America Directorate and the Consular Department also participated in the consultations.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed various aspects of Nepal–Romania relations, including economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, labour migration, consular matters, and collaboration in multilateral forums. They also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in energy, agriculture, tourism, information technology, education, and cultural sectors.
Nepal requested Romania to consider opening its diplomatic mission in Kathmandu. Noting that Nepalis constitute the largest non-EU migrant worker community in Romania, the Romanian side highlighted the importance of establishing a Nepali diplomatic mission in Romania.
Romanian officials appreciated the contribution of the Nepali community to Romania’s economy. Joint Secretary Amb. Dhakal thanked the Romanian government for creating employment opportunities for Nepali nationals and requested smooth consular services for Nepali citizens residing there. More than 55,000 Nepalis are currently employed in various professions in Romania, according to the Nepali side.
Prior to the consultation meeting, Joint Secretary Amb. Dhakal and Romania’s Secretary of State Ana Cristina Tinca signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism. Amb. Dhakal also held a separate meeting with Secretary of State Tinca to discuss new avenues for strengthening Nepal–Romania relations.
