January 22: The Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering and the Ambassador of Belgium in India Jean Marie Deboutte signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium.

With the signing of this agreement, the two countries agree to exchange diplomatic representatives at ambassadorial level.

A news release from the Foreign Ministry says the establishment of diplomatic relations will help further strengthen the friendly relations and cooperation that the two countries enjoy. It says it would also provide additional channels for discussing trade, development assistance and other issues of mutual concern.

Bhutan now has diplomatic relations with 23 countries including the EU.

Shortly after the signing, the Ambassador Jean Marie called on the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley.

Ambassador Jean Marie Deboutte arrived in the country on January 19 and will leave on January 25.

Bhutan also intends to open an embassy in Brussels sometime this year. The embassy will be accredited not only to the Belgian court, but also to the EU and to the capitals of other EU countries with which Bhutan already have diplomatic relations.