Visit to Bhutan by Ambassadors and Heads of Missions of 8 EU Member States based in New Delhi

H.E Ambassador Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador of the European Union to Bhutan led a delegation of EU Ambassadors based in Delhi to Bhutan from 22-25 May 2018. Delegation members included, i) H.E. Mr.Petko Doykov, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria; ii) H.E. Mr. Petar Ljubičić, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia; iii) H.E. Mr. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic; iv) H.E. Mr. Riho Kruuv, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia; v) H. E. Mr. José Ramón Barañano Fernández, Ambassador of Spain; vi) Ms. Agnė Sakalauskaitė, Charge d’affaires of the Republic of Lithuania; vii) Dr. Jasper Wieck, Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and viii) Ms. Mette Ekeroth, Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Danish Embassy.

The visit provided an opportunity to update and exchange views on the ongoing and the future areas of cooperation between Bhutan and the EU. The EU member states represented in the delegation also had greater appreciation of our success and challenges.

Formal diplomatic relations between Bhutan and the EU were established on 9th August 1985. Since then, EU has been an important development partner for Bhutan and is one of the few partners still active in Bhutan. The total EU assistance to Bhutan for the 2014-2020 multi-annual indicative programme (MIP) period is € 51 million.

During the visit, the delegation received an Audience with His Majesty The King and called on Hon’ble Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Tshogpon Jigme Zangpo, Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji, Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Opposition Leader Dr. Pema Gyamtsho and other senior officials of the Royal Government.

During the meetings, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the excellent state of bilateral ties and the successful cooperation between Bhutan and the EU and discussed ways to further enhance the relationship.

Furthermore, EU Ambassador H.E. Mr. Tomasz Kozlowski, together with Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, Minister of Economic Affairs, Ms. Arancha Gonzalez, Chief Executive of the International Trade Centre and Mr. Thinley Namgyel, GNHC Secretary launched the ‘EU-Bhutan Trade Support Project’ on 24th during the visit.

The EU also hosted a dinner reception to celebrate the EU- Bhutan Friendship in the presence of Hon’ble Lyonchhen, on 23rd May 2018 at Le Meridian, Thimphu.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thimphu
25 May 2018