British MPs urge parties to accelerate peace process
The meetings in Kathmandu and visits outside gave us an understanding of the UK’s contribution to development in Nepal, what progress Nepal has made in the development sector and the challenges that remain
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KATHMANDU, OCT 31 - A visiting delegation of the UK Parliament International Development Committee on Saturday urged the parties in Nepal to accelerate the peace process to expedite development.
“The UK wants to see that the agreed peace process, including the writing of a new constitution, remains on track. We encourage all sides to work together on their peace commitments,” said Malcolm Bruce, who chairs the committee.
The committee organised a press conference in the capital today before wrapping up their four-day visit to Nepal, in connection with an inquiry into DFID Nepal programme.
The delegates met with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, other ministers, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, civil servants, representatives of the donor community, private sector representatives, and civil society. According to a DFID statement, the committee also undertook field visits to the districts of Surkhet, Accham, Nepalgunj, Pokhara, Parbat and Baglung, to see DFID’s work at first hand.
“The meetings in Kathmandu and visits outside gave us an understanding of the UK’s contribution to development in Nepal, what progress Nepal has made in the development sector and the challenges that remain,” said Bruce.
He added, “With 31 per cent of the population still living under less than one dollar a day, the challenges to development in Nepal are huge and are further complicated by a slow peace process. Progress on poverty reduction and inclusion of all groups in society, particularly women and ethnic and religious minorities, will not be achieved without peace and stability.”
The aim of DFID’s work is to help Nepal move to a position where government can deliver the services people need, he said, adding, “We have seen for ourselves that there is capability in Nepal to deliver services if more resources are made available.”
Posted on: 2009-11-01 04:44
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