Meeting with Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta

London-Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Sharad Raj Aran met Mr. Claude Bonello, Director for External Relations and Mediterranean Affairs of Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion of Malta on 24 October 2017 at the latter’s office.

During the meeting, various aspects of bilateral relations between Nepal and Malta were discussed. Mr. Aran briefed to him about the latest political development of Nepal including the successful local level elections and stated that the GON was prepared to hold the provincial and parliamentary elections on November 26 and December 7, 2017.

Mr. Aran informed him that Government of Nepal is interested to get MoU on establishing bilateral consultation mechanism between Nepal and Malta to explore and extend the cooperation. He further added that high level visit from both the countries would extend the relations and cooperation. Mr. Aran put his concern to get labout agreement, and informed him that 250 Nepalis are working at the different sectors in Malta. He also urged the Director to ease the visa process and granting the labour permit to the Nepali students. About 20 Nepalis are pursuing their study at the University of Malta. Mr. Pradip Jung KC, Millitary Attache talked on the possibility of millitary cooperation between two countries.

Mr. Claude Bonello, Director for External Relations and Mediterranean Affairs of Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion of Malta stated that he looked forward to working together to build upon the strong foundation of the relationship between Nepal and Malta. He told that Malta Government is keen to welcome the Foreign Minister of Nepal and to get agreeement on establishing bilateral consultation mechanism between Nepal and Malta to establish coordial relations, extend the cooperation and explore the opportunities, particularly on tourism and culture. He also informed that Valetta, Capital city of Malta was announced as the cultural capital of Europe for 2018. He requested to the DCM for the presentation of the credential of the Ambassador at the earliest to arrange high level visit and get necessary agreements to extend the relations.

Mr. Aran met with the Nepalese living in Malta and held interaction with them on 22 October. During the interaction programme, Nepalese informed that they were given false information when they were in process to come Malta for the education and employment. They told that they would be given permanent residency in Malta after the completion of their service in Malta and they can travel and work to all the EU countries because of their Schenzen Visa but it was false information. They further added that they paid huge amount of money to the concerned Agencies to come Malta for the employment and education. They also informed the DCM that students are not allowed to work in Malta and they faced visa renewal problem.

Malta can be the good destination to the Nepalese for the foreign employment if the labour agreement is made, rights and facilities are ensured. Studying at the Malta University is not good for the Nepalese because they are not allowed to work and they were compelled to deposit huge amount of money for their study. Government of Nepal and concerned agencies should monitor effectively to minimise the cost incurred while coming to the Malta for the employment and education.