Press Release

Bhutan Day by the German-Bhutan Himalaya Society

At the invitation of the German-Bhutan Himalaya Society, Kutshab Pema Choden and officials from the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Brussels attended the “Bhutan Day” Annual General Assembly of the Society, on 13th April 2019 in Bonn.

This year’s theme was “Development Cooperation between the EU and the Kingdom of Bhutan.” Ms. Ulrike Mueller, Honorable Member of the European Parliament and member of the Parliamentary Delegation for relations with South Asia, and Dr. Stefan Lock, Head of the South Asia Section, Department of International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO) of the European Commission were invited as special guests.

Kutshab spoke about Bhutan’s successful cooperation with the EU, the evolution of the friendly relations and the prospects of continued successful collaboration. The Honorable Ms. Mueller, shared the very positive and encouraging perspective that EU parliamentarians, in particular the members of the South Asia Delegation, have of Bhutan. She underlined the successful and effective implementation of EU assistance to Bhutan. She also mentioned the successful trade in natural products such as lemongrass products, which benefit local communities in Bhutan, and which hold good potential for increasing trade. Dr. Lock, representing the Commission, discussed the history and details of EU-Bhutan cooperation and future priorities. He reiterated the EU position that Bhutan will continue to receive EU support during and after graduating to a middle-income country. He stated that Bhutan’s success and progress is remarkable and an example that the EU is looking to showcase to the rest of the world. Both Ms. Mueller and Dr. Lock recognized and commended Bhutan’s steadfast commitment over the years towards development and well-being of its people as well as to good governance.

Other presentations included updates on activities and projects implemented by members of the Society. Mr. GregorVerhufen, Vice President of the German Bhutan Himalaya Society and Buddhist scholar made a presentation on the Preservation of Bhutan’s traditional Calligraphic, Xylographic and Print Culture; Professor Manfred Gerner, Honorary President of the German-Bhutan Himalaya Society presented the completion report on the project on safety and improved accessibility with traditional architectural features at the MembarTsho in Bumthang; and Mr. Bernd Bahr, long-term expert of the SparkassenstiftungfürinternationaleKooperation(German Savings Banks Foundation for International Cooperation (SBFIC)) in Bhutan spoke about the micro-financing project being implemented by RENEW since 2011 in Bhutan. The event ended with an engaging hour of discussions and Q&A among 50 participants.

The German-Bhutan Himalaya Society was first founded in 1984. Members include Germans who have previously lived and worked in Bhutan as well as other German individuals with an interest in Bhutan. The President of the Society is Mr. Reinhard Wolf.

Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Brussels