EU- Bhutan rock-solid, all-weather partnership: Ambassador of the European Union concludes his official visit to Bhutan

H.E. Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to India and Bhutan, concluded his official visit to Bhutan this week with an audience with His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. His visit was marked by official bilateral meetings with the hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan and Ministers of the Royal Government of Bhutan, the celebration of Europe Day, and the launch of the first-ever European Union Film Festival (EUFF) in Bhutan.

Bilateral Meetings and Royal Audience

During the course of his visit this week, Ambassador Delphin had an audience with His Majesty The King in which they had a dense exchange on Bhutan’s outlook and on the Ghelephu Mindfulness City’s transformative project. They recognised EU and Bhutan strong alignment of values and interests at bilateral, regional and international levels in a context of global turmoil. 

He also held key bilateral meetings with senior government ministers and officials including H.E. Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, Honourable Prime Minister of Bhutan; H.E. Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade; H.E. Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, Minister of Finance; H.E. Lyonpo Tshering, Minister of Home Affairs; H.E. Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and H.E. Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment.

The focus of these exchanges was on the future trajectory of EU-Bhutan cooperation, specifically regarding private investments, green energy infrastructure, digital connectivity, education and information technology. Building directly on the momentum of the EU-Bhutan Business Forum which took place earlier this year, the talks aimed to unlock concrete business-to-business investment opportunities across high-potential sectors, including agriculture, agro-food, agro-industry, renewable energy, hospitality, and wellness.

The programme of the EU Delegation also included meetings with the Governors of Bumthang, Trongsa, and Wangdue Phodrang as well as field visits to EU-funded initiatives of local private entrepreneurship. Additionally, the Ambassador delivered a keynote address at the Bhutan Agrifood Trade and Investment Forum (BATIF 2.0) on May 21st, highlighting agro-food as a key area of collaboration with a focus on developing agrifood value chains.

H.E. Ambassador Hervé Delphin said:

“The bond and partnership between the European Union and Bhutan is rock solid. It is cemented by shared values and interests, the deep mutual respect and trust of our relationship developed over the last 40 years and a thriving cooperation putting people and sustainability at the center. We support each other’s resilience and commitment to rule-based order and sustainable model of development. 

We  are committed to pursue our support and accelerate our investment-driven partnership, aimed at developing Bhutan's human capital, entrepreneurship and economic assets, offering opportunities for a resilient and sustainable growth model, in line with the vision of His Majesty The King’s and the Royal Government’s 21st century economic roadmap. This is an all-weather partnership". 

Celebration of Europe Day

The Delegation of the European Union to Bhutan hosted its official Europe Day reception in Thimphu on 20th May, marking a dual milestone: the 76th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the foundational act of the European Union and over 40 years of diplomatic partnership between the EU and Bhutan. The reception was hosted by Ambassador Delphin in the presence of the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, who attended as the Chief Guest.

EU and Bhutan cooperation also expanded into culture this week. The European Union hosted the first-ever European Union Film Festival (EUFF) in Bhutan, which opened on May 21st at City Cinema, Thimphu. The festival was officially inaugurated by Ambassador Delphin and Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel.

Running till May 23, the festival is showcasing  a curated selection of six films from across EU countries, reflecting a mutual desire to enrich cultural dialogue and offer Bhutanese audiences a window into Europe’s diverse storytelling traditions.