EU and Bhutan Mark 40 Years of Partnership and Friendship

Thimphu, 16 October 2025: The European Union (EU) and the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) today celebrated 40 years of partnership and friendship at a special reception hosted jointly by the European Union, the Netherlands, and the Kingdom of Denmark, in the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations between Bhutan and the Kingdoms of Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

The celebration coincides with the visit of the largest-ever EU joint high-level delegation to Bhutan, taking place from 15 to 17 October 2025. Headed by the EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Hervé Delphin, the delegation includes 19 EU Ambassadors with 20 EU Member State Embassies represented. The visit follows an invitation from the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan and builds on last year’s successful EU joint visit.

“The 40 years of relations between European Union and Bhutan have been marked by an exemplary partnership rooted in mutual respect and trust and a joint commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. The authorities and people of Bhutan can take pride in the impressive achievements over the past four decades, as the country embraced democracy and reached middle-income economy status,” said H.E. Ambassador Hervé Delphin, EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan. “The EU has been a reliable and constant partner for Bhutan. As we celebrate 40 years of friendship this week, we remain committed to pursuing this remarkable partnership journey together based on our shared values and interests. We look forward to deepening and expanding our cooperation to support Bhutan's 21st Century Economic Roadmap. We will shift gear, mobilising all levers - from community-based development to an economic and investment driven approach, from local cooperation on green energy and skill development to partnering on regional and global issues such as climate action, disaster risk reduction and connectivity,” he added. 

The EU Delegation also received an audience with His Majesty The King. During the visit, the delegation will also meet senior ministers and officials of RGoB including H.E. Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade; H.E. Lyonpo Dago Tsheringla, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council along with representatives from civil society and the private sector. 

The EU Delegation headed by EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin includes: Ambassador Katharina Wieser, Austria; Didier Vanderhasselt, Belgium; Ambassador Nikolay Yankov, Bulgaria; Ambassador Eliska Zigova, Czech Republic; Ambassador Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Denmark; Ambassador Marje Luup, Estonia; Ambassador Kimmo Lähdevirta, Finland; Ambassador Istvan Szabo, Hungary; Ambassador Kevin Kelly, Ireland; Ambassador Antonio Enrico Bartoli, Italy; Ambassador Diana Mickevičienė, Lithuania; Ambassador Christian Biever, Luxembourg; Ambassador Marisa Gerards, Netherlands; Chargé d’affairs Piotr Antoni Świtalski, Poland; Ambassador Sena Latif, Romania; Ambassador Robert Maxian, Slovakia; Ambassador Tomaž Mencin, Slovenia; Ambassador Juan António March Pujol, Spain. The delegation includes DCM Branimir Farkaš, Croatia and DCM Inga Skruzman, Latvia as well as Ms. Nicole Beer, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Ms. Myriam Ferrán, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnership.

Concert to Celebrate 40 Years of EU–Bhutan Relations

To commemorate this milestone, EU and Bhutanese artists will come together on 17 October 2025 for a special concert celebrating cultural exchange and creative partnership between the two regions.

Co-hosted by the European Union and the Royal Government of Bhutan, the public concert will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Changyul Park, featuring performances by both Bhutanese and European artists in a vibrant showcase of friendship and shared values.

Performers will include popular Bhutanese pop-rock band Baby Floyd, along with Mr. Ugyen Panday and Ms. Pema Deki. Representing Europe will be Belgian-Norwegian soprano Elizaveta Agrafenina, Swedish classical pianist Emma Gilljam Tillu, and Duo Maarten Visser and Holger Jetter — renowned musicians and composers from the Netherlands and Germany respectively.

EU–Bhutan Partnership Over Four Decades

The EU–Bhutan partnership began in 1982 with the launch of a development cooperation project focused on renewable natural resources, followed by the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in 1985. Since then, the relationship has grown into a comprehensive partnership based on mutual respect, shared priorities, and a common vision for sustainable and inclusive development.

EU–Bhutan relations have gained strong positive momentum in recent years. In 2025 alone, several high-level engagements have taken place, including the visit of H.E. Mr. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, to Brussels, and the 13th EU–Bhutan Annual Consultations. The year will culminate with the Bhutan Investors Forum (5–7 November) in Brussels, Frankfurt, and Prague, bringing together Bhutanese and EU officials, investors, and private sector representatives to explore opportunities for trade, investment, and collaboration. 

Over four decades of partnership, the EU has been a steadfast supporter of Bhutan’s sustainable development and modernization efforts. Through the 2021–2027 EU–Bhutan Multiannual Indicative Programme (EUR 48 million), the EU focuses on three priority areas:

• Climate change and green growth,

• Good governance for inclusive socio-economic development, and

• Digital transition as a driver for change in education and public service delivery

In addition, the EU supports projects on sustainable tourism (EUR 1.3 million), civil society engagement and parliamentary strengthening (EUR 3.5 million), and private sector investments (EUR 1.3 million).