Norawy to welcome outcome of constituent assembly election

Kathmandu, May 5 (UNI) Norwegian International Development Assistance Minister Erik Solheim today said his country would welcome the Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal irrespective of their outcome.

''The situation after the Constituent elections may be like that of Thailand or that of India and America but any will be acceptable to Norway,'' Mr Solheim told a press meet here today.

''I was here to salute the courage shown by the Nepalese people during the pro-democratic movement,'' Mr Solheim, who was on a four-day visit here, said.

''Nepalese people and leaders are committed to democracy and want to see democratic process and peace,'' he added.

The Norwegian minister hoped that the peace process initiated by the new government would resolve the maoist problem through peaceful negotiation.

Mr Solheim met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, his deputy, Finance Minister and leaders of the various political parties, ambassadors of different countries and civil society representatives during his visit.

Norway has resumed its cooperation with Nepal, which had been suspended by it after the royal coup of February 1 last year.

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