Germany–Bhutan relations

Germany maintains a formal relation with the Kingdom of Bhutan with a non-resident embassy housed in New Delhi.[3] Bhutan is represented in Germany by its embassy in Brussels.[4] Both Germany and Bhutan have honorary consuls in each of their countries.[5][6]

Germany–Bhutan relations
Map indicating locations of Germany and Bhutan

Germany
Bhutan
Diplomatic mission
German Embassy, New DelhiRoyal Bhutanese Embassy, Brussels
Envoy
Ambassador Dr. Philipp Ackermann[1]Ambassador Tshoki Choden[2]

History

While Germany started providing assistance to Bhutan from the early 1970s and consular relations were established in 2006[7], diplomatic ties were established on 25 November 2020 through the exchange of verbale notes.[8] Bhutan was included by Germany in its bilateral assistance program from 1987. Subsequently a technical cooperation agreement was signed between both states on 21 December 1989.[9]

Relations

After the signage of the technical cooperation agreement on December 1989, German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) established an office in Thimphu which provided assistance to German projects in Bhutan which mainly focused on renewable natural resources, culture, health and development of technical institutes. After the completion of its last project, the office was closed in 2006.

Currently Germany and Bhutan collaborate in the area of climate and environmental protection and cultural preservation projects. Germany has helped in the restoration of the bridge linking Punakha monastery and also in preservation of Bhutanese manuscripts. In the field of academic cooperation, German universities provides enrollments and scholarships to Bhutanese students under the German Academic Exchange Service.[10] Bhutan has been receiving financial assistance from the European Union of which Germany is a major contributor.[11]

In March 2023, the Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering made an official visit to Germany where he met German chancellor Olaf Scholz. The Bhutanese Prime Minister met with officials from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit and other business institutions to discuss trade and business for Bhutan. He also visited the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology to discuss partnership in academics.[12] The German chancellor appreciated Bhutan for its role in measuring wellbeing with Gross National Happiness. Both leaders also pledged to intensify partnership in the area of climate and environmental protection.[13]

Friendship associations

Friendship associations established by common citizens also exist in the two countries. German citizens operate German-Bhutan Himalaya Society, Pro Bhutan e.V and Bhutan Help Society in Germany. The associations undertake community and public welfare works.[14] Pro Bhutan has cooperated with the Royal Government of Bhutan providing assistance worth 500 million Ngultrum. It has helped in the construction of a museum, a monastery in Thimphu and the community hall in Punakha among others.[15]

References
  1. Amt, Auswärtiges. "German missions in Bhutan". German Federal Foreign Office. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  2. tashic. "Ambassador – Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Brussels". Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  3. Amt, Auswärtiges. "German missions in Bhutan". German Federal Foreign Office. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  4. tashic. "Bhutan-The Federal Republic of Germany relations – Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Brussels". Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  5. Amt, Auswärtiges. "German Honorary Consul in Bhutan". india.diplo.de. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  6. tashic. "Honorary Consuls in Europe – Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Brussels". Archived from the original on 2022-12-31. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  7. Amt, Auswärtiges. "Germany and Bhutan: Bilateral relations". German Federal Foreign Office. Archived from the original on 2021-11-28. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  8. Haidar, Suhasini (2020-11-25). "Bhutan establishes formal ties with Germany". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  9. tashic. "Bhutan-The Federal Republic of Germany relations – Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Brussels". Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  10. "DAAD in Bhutan". www.daad.in. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  11. Newspaper, Bhutan's Daily. "Bhutan and Germany establish diplomatic ties". Kuensel Online. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  12. "Press Release – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade". www.mfa.gov.bt. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  13. "The Federal Chancellor meets the Prime Minister of Bhutan | Federal Government". Website of the Federal Government | Bundesregierung. 2023-03-13. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  14. "Friendship Associations – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade". www.mfa.gov.bt. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  15. Newspaper, Bhutan's Daily. "25th year of Pro Bhutan, Germany". Kuensel Online. Archived from the original on 2022-06-25. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
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