European societies meeting Thimphu 28 nov. 2012
From Les Amis du Bhoutan (Nov 2012)
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Conférence des Associations européennes d'amitié avec le Bhoutan, Thimphu 28 nov. 201
Avec, photo de droite, la délégation des amis du Bhoutan
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From Kuensel Nov 29, 2012
Friends of Bhutan: Having
supported and promoted Bhutan in their countries for years, 36 Friends of Bhutan
in Europe have come together in Thimphu for their seventh meeting and to update
themselves with development in Bhutan.
The members are representatives
from 10 Bhutan Friendship Societies and two non-government organisations in
Europe.
In a reception, the foreign
ministry hosted for the visiting members yesterday, the European Bhutan
Societies handed over a combined contribution of 200 euros each towards the
reconstruction of Wangduephodrang dzong.
Foreign minister in-charge Khandu
Wangchuk thanked the friendship societies for their goodwill, friendship and
support to Bhutan and its people. “The meeting has provided opportunities to
renew our friendships, and for our friends to see for themselves the
developments on social, economic and political fronts in our country,”
lyonpo said.
From one society more than 20
years ago to 12 today, including two NGOs, foreign ministry officials said the
societies promote Bhutan and strengthen the country’s friendship and
understanding with European countries.
Chairman of the Bhutan Society of
the United Kingdom, Michael Rutland, who spoke on behalf of the friendship
societies, said Bhutan has a great ability to bring harmony, and thanked the
government for inviting the members to Bhutan.
“This is the very first time,
when there has been a gathering of all the European Bhutan societies in Bhutan,
and it’s very special, because it brings together all the various Bhutanese
societies in an atmosphere of harmony,” he said. “The Bhutan societies, we
would like to think, do a very good job for Bhutan, but the reason they do it is
because Bhutan has the great ability to capture the hearts of people, not just
the minds.”
The members also called on the
prime minister yesterday.
By Sonam Pelden