Kathmandu / The Embassy of Israel celebrated 62 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Israel on 10 May, amidst the presence of Nanda Bahadur Pun, Vice President of Nepal, high ranked Nepali government officials, diplomats, media fraternity and distinguished business community guests.
Welcoming
the guests, Hanan Goder, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal said, “Israel and Nepal
share the same values of tolerance, democracy, community solidarity and respect
for the other. We both nations are proud of our heritage and as small
civilizations, face similar challenges. This is what united us in the past and
this will continue to keep bilateral relations good.”
Yair
Lapid, Alternate Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel expressed
his warm wishes on a video congratulatory message. He said, “For three decades,
Nepal was the only country in the region to maintain diplomatic relations with
Israel. Israel continues to seek out new opportunities to cooperate with Nepal,
considering Nepal a great friend and a partner.”
Likewise,
Haim Sharett, son of Late Moshe Sharett, Former Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister of Israel referred to the meetings of Late Moshe Sharett and Late B.P.
Koirala in Myanmar, Israel and in Nepal which led to intensive dialogue, closer
understanding and a deep friendship. He further said, “The wonderful ongoing
friendship later became binational friendship.” Late Moshe Sharett was one of
the architects for establishing Nepal-Israel relations.
Besides,
the Honourable Ms. Sujata Koirala, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs, The Honourable Mr. Ramesh Nath Pandey, Former Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Former Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal, Foreign Secretary, MoFA also spoke about ‘Nepal-Israel
Relations’ and highlighted on the strong bonds between the two countries.
Concluding
the event, DCM Mr. Tal Shvartsman said, “I believe that the bond between our
two countries will continue to grow and flourish for many more years to come.”
The
diplomatic relations were established at the initiation of the two great
leaders and Prime Ministers of their respective countries, B.P. Koirala and
David Ben Gurion on 1 June 1960. Since the establishment of the relations, the
two nations have continued to cooperate and collaborate on various areas of
mutual interests benefitting both the countries in the field of agriculture,
health, education, among many others.
The gallery of an exhibition on
flashback of Nepal-Israel relations
was also displayed, portraying a historical cooperation between the two
countries.
On this happy occasion, the Embassy
would like to extend warm greetings and best wishes to the Governments of Nepal
and Israel and its people. This is an important occasion to mark the existing
bilateral ties as well as an opportunity to take the cordial relations to scale
new heights.