16th EU-Nepal Joint Commission held in Brussels on 28 November 2025
The European Union and Nepal held their 16th meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) in Brussels on 28 November 2025.
On this occasion both sides discussed the positive and expanding bilateral agenda, from development cooperation to political relations, trade, people-to-people contacts, climate change, regional connectivity, and regional and global affairs.
The EU welcomed Nepal’s commitment to restoring stability and democracy and the work of the interim government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, including reforms centred on fiscal discipline, good governance, accountability and improved service delivery.
The EU and Nepal reiterated their commitment to work together in upholding democracy and human rights, promoting good governance, realizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), combating disaster risks, promoting investment, and addressing global challenges such as climate change. Nepal highlighted progress in achieving the SDGs.
Nepal reaffirmed its commitment to concluding the transitional justice process as soon as possible, in accordance with the transitional justice legislation.
The EU welcomed Nepal’s Transition Strategy to graduate from LDC status and expressed commitment to continue cooperation through the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP).
The EU and Nepal reviewed the progress of EU’s development cooperation in various sectors. The meeting acknowledged the Sub-commission meeting on development cooperation held on 27 November 2025. Nepal welcomed the EU’s MIP for the term 2021-2027. Nepal appreciated and welcomed the MIP for aligning with the Government of Nepal’s plans and priorities. The Nepali side also expressed gratitude to the EU for its continued support to Nepal.
On regional and multilateral processes, the EU and Nepal discussed SAARC, BBIN and BIMSTEC. They underlined the importance of effective multilateral cooperation. The EU and Nepal reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate within the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and other global fora to promote effective multilateralism and the rules-based international order. The EU expressed appreciation for Nepal’s support for the principles of the UN Charter and its position on Ukraine in line with the objectives and principles of the UN Charter.
The EU commended Nepal’s progress on inclusive participation and women empowerment, including in the context of the EU flagship action “Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal”.
The EU and Nepal took stock of the impact of climate change and latest developments, including at COP 30.
The EU and Nepal exchanged their views on bilateral trade relations, including the criteria for acceding to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
Nepal expressed appreciation for the exchanges under the Erasmus+ programme, and the scholarships offered for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programmes, including people-to-people contacts.
Nepal underlined that air safety remains a key priority area and reasserted their commitment to address all observations made by the EU’s assessment visit in September 2023. The EU took note of the request of Nepal to delist Nepali airlines from the European Union Air Safety List in recognition of the progress made by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
The 17th Joint Commission meeting will take place in Kathmandu next year at a mutually convenient date.
The meeting was co-chaired by Paola Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Affairs Service of the EU and Foreign Secretary of the Government of Nepal Mr. Amrit Bahadur Rai.