Kathmandu: Ambassador of Austria to Nepal, Katharina Wieser, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhusal today.

During the meeting that took place at the Ministry in Singha Durbar, Minister Bhusal and the Austrian ambassador exchanged views on various matters including mutual relations and cooperation between the two countries.

The minister thanked the government of Austria for providing support for the renovation of the Patan Museum and the garden at Keshar Mahal. She recalled Austria's cooperation to the conservation of the environment, cultural heritages, and development of water supply projects and tourism.

Minister Bhusal also stressed the need for further cooperation between the two countries on climate change risk reduction. She expressed confidence that the Austrian government will support Nepal in meeting the sustainable development goals by 2030.

Congratulating Wieser on her appointment as the Ambassador of Austria to Nepal, Minister Bhusal expressed the belief that the ties between the two countries would grow in strength in the coming days.

On the occasion, the Austrian ambassador said her country and Nepal can collaborate in hydropower development in the coming days, stating that both countries have similar topography. She maintained that 60 percent of Austria's energy needs were met by hydroelectricity while the remaining was fulfilled through solar and biomass.

Energy Secretary Devendra Karki and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials were present in the meeting. Nepal and Austria established diplomatic relations in 1959.