Thimphu, 6 June 2024: The new European Union Ambassador, H.E. Hervé Delphin presented his Letters of Credence to His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at an official ceremony today. The ceremony was followed by an audience with His Majesty, which allowed for a rich exchange on Bhutan’s perspectives and the visionary initiative of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).

“The European Union has been a major and reliable partner for Bhutan over the past decades. Our partnership has expanded and evolved, accompanying Bhutan’s unique socio-economic growth model, centered on sustainable and human development. Looking ahead, we are committed to pursue this high value and quality relationship as the Kingdom of Bhutan embraces a new phase of its history.” Ambassador Delphin said on the occasion.

Following presentation of his credentials, the newly appointed Ambassador also met today with the Prime Minister Dasho Tshering and Members of the Government, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel and Speaker of the National Assembly, Tshogpon Lungten Dorji. Tomorrow the Ambassador will meet with the Minister for Finance, Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, the Minister for Agriculture & Livestock, Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, Home Affairs Minister Lyonpo Tshering as well as the Chairperson of the National Council Lyonpo Lekey Dorji and other Bhutanese high-level officials, parliamentarians, and partners in Bhutan’s development.

The EU and Bhutan have a long history of cooperation, with the first EU-Bhutan development programme dating back to 1982. While the cooperation has deepened and widened over the years, the current partnership is focused on three priority areas i.e. Climate change, green growth for a resilient Bhutan, Good Governance for inclusive socio-economic development and Digital transition using technology as a driver of productivity.. The European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU’s Bank, recently signed its first-ever investment support for Bhutan in April 2024, providing a thirty-year EIB loan for €150 million. This financing aims to support the construction of small to mid-size run-of-river hydropower plants and solar photovoltaic generation to help the Bhutanese government diversify the country’s power mix.

"While Bhutan has graduated from the least developed countries status, our commitment to continue supporting Bhutan’s development remains steadfast. We value Bhutan’s constructive engagement at regional and global levels, driven by stability, peace and human progress.” the Ambassador Delphin added.

The European Union is committed to assisting Bhutan in achieving sustainable and inclusive development, in alignment with the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the Global Gateway Strategy, and the EU Indo-Pacific Strategy. The EU supports the Royal Government of Bhutan in delivering on its priorities through a budget allocation of €31 million (2021-2024), which is transmitted directly into the treasury. Additionally, funds are provided for projects in support of Sustainable Consumption and Production (€3.3 million), Civil Societies and their engagement with the Parliament (€3.4 million), Public Finance Management capacity development (€2 million) and support to investments (€ 1.3 Million).

The EU attaches great importance to Bhutan as a like-minded partner in the multilateral, global context on diverse issues including clean and renewable energy, sustainability, climate action, environment, green growth. It works closely with Bhutan to reduce poverty, but also to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, diversify its economy, private sector development and innovative financing, strengthening the rule of law including accountability for democracy/strengthening democratic institutions; while also contributing to climate change adaptation and strengthening the democratisation process. The EU and the Royal Government of Bhutan are currently consulting about future development assistance (2021-2027) in line with Bhutan's 12^th Development Plan.

The EU is Bhutan’s third biggest development cooperation partner after India and Japan. The EU27 is Bhutan’s 2nd biggest export market and Bhutan’s 3rd import partner. Trade between the EU and Bhutan amounts to EUR 61 million in 2022

About the Ambassador

Ambassador Hervé Delphin concurrently holds the position of EU Ambassador to India.

With a career spanning 30 years with the EU, Hervé Delphin is a specialist in foreign policy and international relations. Prior to his posting in India, he was heading the policy planning at the European Diplomatic Service, EEAS, where he also served as Acting Director of Strategic Communications and Foresight.

From 2014 to 2017, he was Head of the Unit in the European Commission in charge of the EU humanitarian and emergency response to major crises in the European Neighbourhood and the Middle East. Previously, he served as the Head of the Cabinet of European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva and as Deputy Head of the Cabinet of Commissioners Louis Michel and Karel de Gucht, responsible for the development policy and external relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

He is a visiting professor at the College of Europe, Department of International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, in Bruges (Belgium). He has published several papers and articles related to international relations and global strategic issues.

A French national, he was awarded the title of “Knight of the Legion of Honour” (Légion d’Honneur), the highest French National Order, in 2014.

Hervé Delphin holds a double Master’s degree in Political Sciences and Contemporary History from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques and a Master’s degree in European Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges.

He is married and father of five children.

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About the European Union (EU):

The EU, which consists of 27 countries, has the world's second-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. By creating a frontier-free single market and a single currency (the euro), which has been adopted by 20 Member States, the EU has given a significant boost to trade and employment. It is also at the forefront of policies on sustainability globally.