On November 29, Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley met with the Ambassador of the European Union to Bhutan Mr Joao Gomes Cravinho at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang.
Ambassador Joao Gomes Cravinho arrived in the country yesterday to discuss EU-Bhutan relations, informed the Cabinet Secretariat.
“He said that he is privileged to be the Ambassador to Bhutan and expressed his intention to visit Bhutan as frequently as possible to gain deeper understanding of the country and the development concept of GNH,” the Secretariat said.
Ambassador Joao Gomes Cravinho said that EU has been watching Bhutan with great admiration for the progress it has made.
“He assured that EU shall remain a strong development partner of Bhutan and will strengthen support in the areas of climate change and trade diversification. He said that relations between Bhutan and EU will continue to flourish.”
In response, PM Thinley thanked the Ambassador and also congratulated the European Union on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and for promoting world peace and stability. He said that Bhutan is deeply grateful for EU’s assistance and partnership in Bhutan’s development and that the Ambassador must, during his visits, see some of the projects to assess the progress.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the need for Bhutan to diversify its relationship with the EU and how Bhutan desires to be free of donor assistance by 2020, according to the Secretariat. “He said that the 11th Plan will be critical in the achievement of this goal.”
Ambassador Cravinho returned to his country on December 2.
