A Report on an Interaction
entitled 50th Anniversary of Nepal-Poland Diplomatic Relations
Organized by: Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA)
Venue : The Hotel Malla, Kathmandu
Date : November 19, 2009
As part of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Nepal and the Republic of Poland, the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) organized an interaction in the capital city of Kathmandu on November 19, 2009. Nepal and Poland established their diplomatic relations on November 25, 1959.
Ambassador of Poland to Nepal Dr. Piotr Klodkowski was the Guest of Honour as well as the Keynote Speaker.
The interaction was organized under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Gopal Prasad Pokharel, Executive Director of IFA. The programme had started with a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Pokharel.
In his address, Prof. Pokharel said that the relations between Nepal and Poland were based on friendship, cordiality and mutual respect. Even during the Cold War, Nepal and Poland maintained good and friendly relations to the satisfaction of both the peoples, he said.
Recalling the history of Poland, he said that the country had experienced the agony of divide, destabilization, disturbances and uncertainties. Over the past few years, Nepal has undergone unprecedented transformation hither to unknown in her national history. As a result of the People Movement of April 2006, the people in Nepal have taken their destiny in their own hands, he added.
He said that at present Nepal was in the process of drafting the new constitution and taking the peace process to its logical conclusion, and integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants and restructuring the unitary state into federal units within the stipulated timeframe.
Over the years, Poland with the adoption of the democratic set-up has come a long way in recording rapid socio-economic transformation and national reconstruction. Currently, Poland occupies a prestigious position in the European Union, he said.
Referring to the Nepal-Poland trade ties, he said that the two countries signed a new trade agreement in August 1966. The agreement was revised and updated on May 12, 1992, he said.
He said that there were enormous prospects of exploring areas of economic cooperation between the two friendly nations.
He said that Nepal could learn a lot from Poland, which has been an active member of the European Union since 2004.
Minister for Energy Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, who was also looking after the Foreign Ministry portfolio in the absence of Minister for Foreign Affairs Madame Sujata Koirala, graced the function as the Chief Guest.
Minister Dr. Mahat inaugurated the function by lighting an oil-fed traditional lamp. Delivering his inaugural address, he stressed the need to explore more areas of cooperation between Nepal and the Republic of Poland.
Dr. Mahat said that Nepal could be a potential country for Polish investors to invest in hydropower, tourism and agriculture sectors.
As we have immense prospects for hydropower development and adopted more favourable investment environment, many investors from Poland could invest in such areas, said Minister Dr. Mahat.
He further said that the bilateral relations between the two countries needed to be promoted on the basis of mutual benefits.
He also lauded Polish Ambassador to Nepal Dr. Piotr Klodkowski for bringing the country to limelight in his country by writing a book.
In his keynote address, the Polish envoy Dr. Klodkowski highlighted important facts related to bilateral diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.
According to Dr. Klodkowski, the Office of the Polish Trade Representative was opened in Kathmandu in 1966, which was closed down after the establishment of the residential Polish Embassy in Kathmandu in 1974. The first Charge Affaires was soon followed by Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Charge Affaires Andrzej Wawizynik, who later became the first Chairman of the Polish-Nepalese Friendship Association in Warsaw upon completion of his Kathmandu diplomatic assignment. At present, he is a well-respected Director of Asia-Pacific Museum.
He called for exploring more areas of economic cooperation between eh two countries, as Poland has already become a member of the European Union. Business trade between the two countries is relatively low. In 2007, it was approximately 600,000 EUR, slightly more than in 2006 when it stood at 400,000 EUR.
He said that woolen carpets, handicrafts and honey are major goods being exported to Poland from Nepal. Goods imported from Poland include foodstuffs and steel sheets, he informed.
He said that food-processing industry, defense industry and tourism could be potential areas of cooperation in future.
The Polish envoy informed that around 2,000 tourists from Poland visit Nepal annually. Tourism may be one of the most important areas of bilateral cooperation, he said.
Appreciating Nepal scenic beauty and cultural diversity, he said that Nepal could attract more Polish tourists if it promoted the unique attractions in Poland.
He also said that several groups of skilled Nepali workers were employed by Polish and international companies in various parts of Poland.
He hoped that Nepal current transition would end soon and said the bilateral ties between the two friendly countries would be enhanced in the days to come.
He also handed a message of the Polish Foreign Minister to Minister Dr. Mahat.
At the function, some other high-level officials of the Polish Embassy in New Delhi were also present.
The government of Poland has appointed renowned industrialist Lokmanya Golchha as the Honourary Consul General of Poland to Nepal.
Prof. Jaya Raj Acharya, former President of Nepal-Poland Friendship Council, said that the two countries had cordial ties even during the Cold War.
Prof. Acharya recalled that Nepal had established her diplomatic relations with Poland during the premiership of late B.P. Koirala. There have been cordial relations between the two countries ever since the establishment of diplomatic ties, he said.
Delivering her vote of thanks, Ms. Anjan Shakya, Deputy Executive Director of IFA, stressed the need for identifying more areas of bilateral cooperation and enhance ties at the people-to-people level.
Ms. Shakya said that the bilateral ties have remained amicable since the establishment of the diplomatic ties.
She also called for increasing exchange visits between the two countries so as to enhance relations.
She further said that Nepal needed to produce quality products to export them to Poland, which could be a huge market.
She extended her sincere thanks to all the guests and invitees. She thanked the newly appointed Consul General of Poland to Nepal Lokmanya Golchha for providing financial support for organizing the event.
On behalf of IFA, she also expressed deep condolences to Golchha and his family on the untimely demise of his brother Mahendra Golchha.
