Nepal peace process assured of EU support

Kathmandu, May 26 (ANI): European Union (EU) envoys on Tuesday assured to extend full support to Nepal peace process and Constitution drafting.

The ambassadors from EU nations met newly elected Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and congratulated him for being the second prime minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Envoys from the United Kingdom, Finland, including other EU nations stressed on the need for the re-verification of the Maoist Peoples Liberation Army in the cantonments at the earliest.

Nepalnews quoted Prime Minister's foreign affairs advisor Rajan Bhattarai as saying that the ambassadors also assured to provide assistance in package for the rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants.

They also urged the Prime Minister to hold the meeting of Nepal Development Forum (NDF) at the earliest.

In response, Madhav Kumar said he would not compromise with any one on peace process and civilian supremacy.

"Taking the peace process to a logical conclusion and Constitution drafting would be the chief priorities of the new government," he added.

Meanwhile, the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), which has a decisive role in the current coalition, has claimed for six ministries in the new cabinet.

The claim came after a joint meeting of the alliance of Madhesh based parties headed by MJF chairman Upendra Yadav. The meeting also decided to claim two ministries for the Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and one ministry for the Sadbhawana party (SP).

The Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML) have offered four ministries to MJF, two to TMLP and one to SP and decided to keep six ministries each themselves.

According to sources, MJF's claim is one of the reasons for the delay in cabinet formation. The party claimed six ministries, as it was essential to pacify the growing rift between the two factions within the party.

A meeting of the major coalition partners will take place later today to discuss the distribution of ministries. (ANI)