Visit to Bhutan by European Union Ambassador with 8 EU Member States Ambassadors reaffirms the EU’s support to Bhutan’s economic development and smooth democratic transition
Thimphu, 25 May 2018: A delegation of European Union Ambassadors based in New Delhi and led by the Ambassador of the European Union for Bhutan, H.E. Mr Tomasz Kozlowski were on a visit to Bhutan from 22nd to 25th May. The visit provideed an opportunity to exchange views on development cooperation between Bhutan and the EU and review the growing political ties between the two sides.
The EU reconfirmed its continued support to Bhutan's democratic transition process, sustainable economic development, sustainable agricultural development and climate change adaptation, as well as its other national priorities.
H.E. Mr. Petko Doykov, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria; H.E. Mr. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic; H.E. Mr. Riho Kruuv, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia; H.E. Mr. José Ramón Barañano Fernández, Ambassador of Spain; H.E. Mr. Mr. Petar Ljubičić, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia; Ms. Agnė Sakalauskaitė, Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of Lithuania; Dr. Jasper Wieck, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany; Ms. Mette Ekeroth, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Danish Embassy were part of the delegation.
Speaking about the visit, EU Ambassador Tomasz Kozlowski said, "The EU-Bhutan relationship has evolved in the last three decades. While the earlier focus was on development cooperation, it is now a comprehensive engagement comprising constructive policy dialogue and cooperation on political, economic and social issues."
Meetings in Thimphu
His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck granted an audience to the delegation. The delegation also met with Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay. They also met Members of the Government including Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lyonpo Damcho Dorji and Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Forest, Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji. The delegation also interacted with Speaker of the National Assembly of Bhutan Tshogpon Jigme Zangpo; Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. Chogyal Dago Rigdzin; Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Pema Gyamtsho and with other Bhutanese high level officials, parliamentarians, civil society leaders and partners in Bhutan’s development.
The EU also celebrated EU-Bhutan Friendship by hosting a reception on 23rd May in the presence of Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay.
New EU –Bhutan Trade support project launched
During the visit, EU Ambassador Tomasz Kozlowski, together with the Hon’ble Minister of Economic Affairs Lyonpo Lekey Dorji and International Trade Centre Executive DirectorMs Arancha Gonzalez, also launched the ‘EU-Bhutan Trade Support Project’ which will run over 40 months and will be managed by the ITC in collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan. Provided with €4 million of funding from the EU, the project aims to improve value addition, market linkages and the trade and investment regulatory framework for Bhutanese producers of horticulture and textile handicrafts thus ensuring that they enjoy better competitiveness in foreign markets.
EU development cooperation with Bhutan
The EU is committed to supporting Bhutan's ambitious development agenda. The EU has tripled its financial assistance for the period 2014-2020 over the previous financial cycle (from € 14 million to €42 million).
Under the EU-Bhutan Programme for 2014-20 (through regional and thematic funding), the EU provides a total assistance of 52 million euros (4 billion ngultrum) to the Bhutanese government in moving towards its goal of achieving self-reliance and inclusive socio-economic development. The EU supports capacity development for local governments and fiscal decentralization, civil societies, and sustainable agriculture and forestry. In addition, the EU supports Bhutan's efforts in climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, building its trade capacity and fair trade labelling. The core of EU assistance is provided through direct budget support to the government programs, according to its priorities.
About the European Union (EU)
The EU, which consists of 28 countries, has the world's largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its 'Member States') are all committed to the same basic values: peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. They have set up common institutions so that decisions on matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. By creating a frontier-free single market and a single currency (the euro) which has been adopted by 19 Member States, the EU has given a significant boost to trade and employment. It is also at the forefront of policies on sustainability.
EU-Bhutan relations
The EU has had a very strong presence in Bhutan since 1982, in particular through various development cooperation projects through the years. It works closely with Bhutan to reduce poverty, enhance food security and strengthen the democratisation process.