Stakeholders in Nepal crisis should take advantage of talks:EU

The European Union today appealed to both the Nepalese government and Indian-origin Madhesis protesting over the new Constitution to use the ongoing talks in a "spirit of responsibility and compromise" to resolve the political unrest gripping the country.
The grouping termed the talks as a "unique" opportunity as it encouraged all stakeholders to reach a prompt solution.
The heads of European Mission in Nepal expressed their support and encouragement for efforts to resolve the "current difficulties affecting the supply and distribution of humanitarian supplies" in the country amid a blockade of a key border trade point with India by protesters.

The European Union delegation, the Heads of Mission of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland said in a joint statement that they hoped for a prompt solution to the current crisis.
As Nepali people continue to suffer with shortage of essentials including fuel and cooking gas in the month of their main festival 'Vijaya Dashami' due to the blockade in the southern border, the European Union expressed sympathy and support.
"The ongoing talks represent a unique opportunity to make progress in this direction and the Heads of Mission encourage all involved to take advantage of it in a spirit of responsibility and compromise," reads the statement.

The first round of talks between Indian-origin Madhesis and the Nepalese government that began today ended inconclusively though the two sides will return to the negotiating table tomorrow.

Noting that the urgently needed essential goods for the adaptation of temporary shelters to earthquake victims have been obstructed, the EU said the effects of this situation are most heavily felt by the poorest segments of the population, including in the Terai region bordering India.
"The lack of basic goods is taking a heavy toll on the economy of Nepal, where recent earthquakes have pushed an additional 3.5 per cent of the population under the poverty line, according to the estimates of the Post-Disaster Needs.

"The Heads of Mission in Nepal express their support and encouragement for efforts to resolve the current difficulties affecting the supply and distribution of humanitarian supplies in the country, particularly of goods urgently needed for the adaptation of temporary shelters to the coming winter," said the statement.