Kathmandu, Feb 15: Australian Ambassador to Nepal Felicity Volk paid a courtesy call on Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Dilendra Prasad Badu today.

In the meeting held at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, matters relating to various contemporary issues including further strengthening of bilateral friendly ties between Nepal and Australia were discussed.

Minister Badu, on the occasion, extended gratitude to Australia for its support in Nepal's COVID-19 response as well as other sectors, according to Minister Badu's Secretariat.

He said that the wealth of experience Australia had in the areas relating to leadership development, easy access to justice, clean energy, consolidation of federalism, and various concerns relating to development would be useful for Nepal.

Stating that the bond between Nepal and Australia was not only limited to the government to government level but was also strong at the social level, the Minister drew the attention of the Australian envoy towards enabling a convenient educational environment for Nepali students for whom Australia has been a major education destination.

In reciprocation, Australian ambassador Volk acknowledged that Nepal was an old ally to Australia and Australia had been implementing various programmes and projects in Nepal in the areas of health, education, community forests, and water resources among others.

Ambassador Volk also added that the Australian government supported Nepal in advancing gender causes such as developing women leadership and ending gender-based violence among others.

She pledged that Australia was ready to expand the areas of cooperation between Australia and Nepal in the coming days.

The Australian envoy also vowed to take the lead to create enabling environment for the Nepalis students in Australia as well as to identify the common areas of the judicial sector and to expand cooperation in this sphere.

Present in the meeting were the representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs.