Jean Lambert, the Green MEP for London, will lead a European Parliament delegation to Nepal next week, to coincide with an announcement of progress on a new Constitution and a statement about the next steps to be taken in the democratic process.

During the trip the inter-parliamentary group of six MEPs will meet with various political figures, including the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to discuss the new proposed Constitution for Nepal, which is due to be announced on May 29 [2]. The delegation will also address issues of climate change and the refugee situation, by visiting two retreating glaciers and a small-scale bio-gas project, as well as a refugee centre.

Jean, who leads the trip as Chair of the South Asian Delegation in European Parliament, said: “It is an honour to be leading this delegation to Nepal and I am pleased to use this opportunity to build on our already existing relations during this time of great political change for the country. This new constitution marks a really important point for Nepal on its path to democracy and the European Parliament is keen to offer whatever assistance to that process we can.

“The trip also serves as a platform to get a better understanding of the glacier retreat, one of the starkest physical warnings of the impact of climate change. In addition, we hope to visit a refugee centre, to experience first hand the plight of refugees forced to find sanctuary in Nepal.

“I am looking forward to an informative and educational delegation, and I hope the experience will better equip us to work more effectively with the Nepalese Parliament in the future.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

[1] The official programme starts on Monday, May 24 and ends on Saturday, May 30.

[2] The new proposed Constitution for Nepal is due to be announced on May 29, but the elected Constituent Assembly will ask for an extension to deal with remaining, controversial issues. It is likely that the Maoist opposition will stage the presentation of their own version of a Constitution. The new Constitution follows radical changes in Nepal which have seen the end of the monarchy and the installation of a republic and a peace process in which the Maoists decided to enter the political process instead of persisting with armed struggle.

Jean Lambert is one of eight MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections and was re-elected in 2004 and 2009.