German Embassy Clarifies Meeting with Nepal’s Chargé d’Affaires
The German Embassy in Kathmandu has dismissed reports claiming that Germany formally protested or warned Nepal over the ongoing e-passport procurement case. In a statement published on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, the embassy clarified that Nepal’s Chargé d’Affaires in Berlin was invited to a meeting at the German Federal Foreign Office and was not formally summoned. It also confirmed that no protest note or any other official document was handed over during the meeting.
The embassy further rejected reports suggesting that Germany had warned Nepal of possible consequences depending on the outcome of the judicial proceedings related to the passport procurement case. It stressed that Germany fully respects the independence of the judiciary, describing judicial independence as a constitutional principle. The embassy also reiterated its longstanding policy of not commenting on ongoing court cases, including the current matter.
The clarification follows reports that Germany had raised concerns after Nepal’s Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed corruption charges against German companies Veridos GmbH and Muehlbauer, along with former officials and representatives linked to the Department of Passports’ e-passport procurement project.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Secretariat has decided not to terminate the contracts with the two German companies immediately, allowing them until July 15 to fulfil their existing obligations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Passports have maintained that the continued rollout of the e-passport system remains separate from the legal proceedings currently before the Special Court.
