Prime Minister Deuba sends his best wishes and personal greetings to the leaders of the Communist Party of China and all distinguished leaders and delegations of Asian political parties gathered here in the beautiful city of Beijing. Prime Minister Deuba cherishes his friendship with so many of you who he has personally met in the Second ICAPP and many other occasions. Prime Minister Deuba is fully confident that the Third ICAPP will, in its great tradition, prove to be a major milestone in furthering the friendship, exchanges and cooperation among Asian political parties. Who better place than the great country of People’s Republic of China, with its tremendous economic power and political influence in the world, to organize this important meeting of Asian political leaders and provide leadership to the peace and development theme of this memorable event. China, along with other great nations of Asia, is uniquely placed to lead Asian people’s longing for economic prosperity and social development. This is, I believe, what was alluded to by His Excellency Zeng Qinghong, as “the valiant spirit of Asia” in his speech during the inaugural session of this conference.

Nepal is currently going through one of the most difficult times in our history. Violent armed conflict perpetrated by self-styled and so-called Maoists movement of Nepal has inflicted unprecedented pains and sufferings to our nation. Thousands of Nepalis have already lost their lives and another hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes in the last nine years of the armed conflict. Despite a tragedy loss of such an enormous magnitude, our commitment to permanent peace building stands as tall as Mt. Everest. With Mr. Deuba’s reinstatement as the Prime Minister of the country, the constitutional crisis in the country has been resolved. Four parties including our party Nepali Congress (Democratic), who together enjoy the support of an overwhelming majority of the members of the dissolved lower house of the parliament and Nepali people in general, have come together and joined hands to form the government under Mr. Deuba’s leadership as the Prime Minister of the country. Nepali people now want the government to work toward a solution so as to be able to put an end to and leave behind the menace of the armed conflict. We have unshakable resolve for it and are more hopeful now that we will be able to do so. The Common Minimum Program agreed upon and signed by our four parties reflects our commitment and resolve to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing violent conflict, establish permanent peace and hold elections to the lower house of parliament and thus, lay grounds for an inclusive, dynamic, civilized and vibrant Nepali society.

Nepal has been one of the poorest countries in Asia. The challenges of economic and social development and poverty alleviation have been enormous in our country. We have greatly benefited in our endeavor for economic development from the cooperation extended to us by our friendly countries including the People’s Republic of China. China has always been a great neighbor and one of the most trusted and dependable friends of Nepal throughout our modern history. We are confident that this relationship of goodwill will continue and further strengthen in the trying times that our people are living in today. A friend in need is a friend in deed. That is exactly how Nepal’s bilateral friendship has been with the People’s Republic of China.

Our current crisis has further deepened our conviction that democracy and political party building are keys to economic growth, social progress and national development, and that regional security and multilateral cooperation can, in so many ways, and must contribute to these ends. We are fully convinced that the theme of the Third ICAPP “Exchanges, Cooperation and Development” is so timely and well chosen. I am fully confident that the conference will greatly contribute to development and further reinforcement of a common understanding, trust and consensus among Asian countries to safeguard peace, stability and unity and promote regional cooperation and common development.