The government of Nepal has decided to establish a Nepali Embassy in Portugal, a move that will strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and facilitate the Nepalese immigrants living in Portugal.
According to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, who is also the government spokesperson, a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday decided to establish the embassy and recommended the name of Sanil Nepal to head the mission. Nepal is a foreign relations expert who has worked in various international non-governmental organizations.
As per the constitutional provision, the President of Nepal will appoint Nepal as the ambassador to Portugal after his name is endorsed by the parliamentary hearing committee following the recommendation by the government.
Nepal and Portugal established diplomatic relations on September 1, 1976. There exist cordial and friendly relations between the two countries based on friendship, cooperation and understanding. Nepal’s ambassador to France is concurrently accredited to Portugal while the Portuguese Embassy in New Delhi is concurrently accredited to Nepal. Similarly, the countries have maintained their Honorary Consulates in each other’s capitals.
The establishment of the Nepali Embassy in Portugal will be a milestone in the history of Nepal-Portugal relations. It will enhance the political, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries and promote Nepal’s interests and image in Portugal and Europe.
The embassy will also provide consular services and assistance to the Nepalese immigrants living in Portugal, who are estimated to be over 20,000. According to the Gabinete de Estratégia e Mar (GEE), Nepalese constitute 3.3 percent of the foreign community living in Portugal and occupy the 11th position of the largest immigrant community in Portugal. The majority of the Nepalese live in the Lisbon district, followed by Beja, Faro and Setúbal.
The Nepalese immigrants in Portugal are mostly engaged in agriculture, construction, hospitality, and service sectors. They are known for their hard work, trustworthiness, and good companionship. They have also contributed to the socio-economic development of Portugal and Nepal through remittances and cultural exchange.
The Nepalese community in Portugal has welcomed the government’s decision to establish the embassy and expressed their hope that it will make their life easier and more secure in Portugal. They have also expressed their gratitude to the Portuguese government and people for their hospitality and support.
source:kathmandupost.com, lokaantar.com, mofa.gov.np, consuladodonepal.pt, theportugalnews.com, embassypages.com, english.ratopati.com, schengenvisainfo.com