A one-day seminar was organized by the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) on 27 February, 2006 (Monday) in Kathmandu at Hotel Radisson, Lazimpat at 10:30 am. The seminar theme was designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Kingdom of Nepal and Japan. The chief guest for the program, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon'ble Ramesh N. Pandey inaugurated the seminar. In his address he said that the government wants to get rid of the current impasse at the earliest possible through the empowerment of the people based on ballots. Besides it, he added that the royal address has opened the door for all democratic forces to engage in constructive dialogue to end current impasse. He also said the relations between Nepal and Japan have been historicaly guided by the spirit of goodwill, friendship as well as mutual respect and understanding and close cooperation between the two countries and peoples that have developed over the years. Mr Pandey said that the government has established a National Investment Board with the objective of encouraging foreign investment by providing easy service to foreign investors through a one-window policy. Ambassador of Japan to Nepal H. E. Hiraoka said that Japan has been extending economic and technical cooperation to Nepal. In his address, Nishchal N. Pandey, the Executive Director of IFA, welcomed the participants and said that Nepal and Japan share a lot of commonalities in the field of culture and tradition. He also commended the cooperation of Japanese government for the development in Nepal. Eight papers in diverse topics related to Nepal –Japan relationship were presented. The Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) Mr. Nishchal N. Pandey visited the Centre D'Etudes Diplomatiques Et Strategiques (CEDS) in Paris, France. The Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) Mr. Nishchal N. Pandey visited the Centre D'Etudes Diplomatiques Et Strategiques (CEDS) in Paris, France and interacted with Administrative General Prof. Pascal Chaigneau and Secretary General Emmanuel Caulier on March 20th 2006. Talks were held to establish collaboration between the two institutions and hold mutually beneficial programs such as seminars and exchange scholars at each other's institutes. On the occasion, plaques and publications of the two institutes were exchanged between the two Directors. The CDES is a prestigious French Institute which conducts among other things, PH.D in international relations and diplomacy and is a member of the academic council of the UN System.