The German Embassy in Nepal on Wednesday rejected what it described as “false or misleading reports” surrounding its diplomatic engagement over Nepal’s passport procurement case, saying no protest note was issued and no warning was conveyed to Nepal over the ongoing proceedings.
In a statement issued, the embassy said Nepal’s Chargé d’Affaires in Berlin had been invited to a meeting at the German Federal Foreign Office, not summoned.
“It may sound like a small distinction, but in diplomacy, it matters,” the embassy said.
The embassy also said no protest note or any other document was handed over during the meeting.
It further rejected reports that Germany had warned Nepal of possible consequences depending on the outcome of the proceedings.
“Germany fully respects the independence of the judiciary. In fact, it is a principle enshrined in our Constitution,” the embassy said.
“As a matter of principle, the Embassy does not comment on ongoing court proceedings, and we have not done so at any point in this case.”
The embassy’s statement echoed the position taken earlier by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking to Kathmandupati earlier this week, the ministry also rejected reports that Germany had summoned Nepal’s Chargé d’Affaires in Berlin or handed over a protest note over the passport procurement case, maintaining that the meeting at the German Federal Foreign Office was a routine diplomatic engagement.
The passport procurement case centres on a contract awarded by Nepal’s Department of Passports to German firms Veridos GmbH and Muehlbauer for the supply of Nepal’s electronic passport system. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority is investigating alleged irregularities in the procurement process.
The anti-graft body has arrested several officials including the Department of Passports’ Director General and the case is currently before Nepal’s courts.
The German Embassy said it has not commented on the ongoing judicial proceedings at any stage and reiterated that Germany respects the independence of Nepal’s judicial process.
