May 25, 2012
In a significant move to strengthen Bhutan’s foreign relations, Ambassadors of twelve nations arrived in the country today for a four day visit.
The Ambassadors of Chile, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Peru, Romania, Lebanon, Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman, all based in India and Bangladesh, are the first group of Ambassadors to come as part of Bhutan’s recent initiative known as the RGoB visitors’ programme.

May 24, 2012
Hon’ble Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley met with the new SAARC Secretary General Ahmed Saleem who arrived in the country this week.

Welcoming the new SAARC Secretary General, Lyonchhen said that he would be happy to hear from him now and at any time on the changes needed in the SAARC Secretariat and the SAARC process and, how Bhutan may be able to support him. Lyonchhen said that Bhutan gives SAARC the highest importance and Mr Saleem shall receive Bhutan’s fullest support.

His Excellency Seyed Mehdi Nabizadeh, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to India called on His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang today.

Mr. Nabizadeh extended Iran’s invitation for the Royal Government of Bhutan to the 16th NAM summit to be held in Tehran, Iran in late August. Mr. Nabizadeh told Lyonchhen that though Bhutan and Iran do not have formal bilateral relations, Bhutan’s participation at the NAM summit will help enhance regional co-operation through its philosophy of well being and happiness.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley and Works and Human Settlement Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba met more than 120 contractors from across the country this week.

The consultative meeting with the Hon’ble Lyonchhen was organised by the Construction Association of Bhutan and works and human settlement ministry to discuss issues ranging from shortage of labours and engineers to timber and late payment of bills.

Ambassador of Czech Republic to India, H.E Miloslav Stasek, who is in the country this week as a special envoy of the Deputy Foreign Minister called on the Hon’ble Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang today.

Bhutan established formal diplomatic relations with Czech Republic in December 2011. Czech Republic had expressed interest to establish formal relations as early as year 2000.