Vivian Balakrishnan to make official visit to Bhutan from May 14-17

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's visit to Bhutan will be the first official one by a Singapore foreign minister since diplomatic relations were established in 2002. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan will visit Bhutan from Sunday (May 14) to Wednesday (May 17) at the invitation of his counterpart Lyonpo Damcho Dorji.

This will be the first official visit to Bhutan by a Singapore foreign minister since diplomatic relations were established in 2002, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Sunday.

Dr Balakrishnan, accompanied by MFA officials, will be given an audience with the King of Bhutan His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and call on Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay.

They will also meet Foreign Minister Damcho Dorji, Minister for Labour and Human Resources Lyonpo Ngeema Sangay Tshempo, Minister for Economic Affairs Lyonpo Leki Dorji and Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Gyaltshen.

Additionally, Dr Balakrishnan and Minister Ngeema Sangay Tshempo will witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on collaboration in the field of technical and vocational education and training between Singapore's Institute of Technical Education Education Services and the Bhutanese Ministry of Labour and Human Resources.

Dr Balakrishnan will also announce a training programme by Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) for Bhutanese healthcare professionals in emergency medicine and a clinical attachment for ear, nose and throat doctors, and take part in a ceremony that will see books from Singapore's National Library Board donated to Bhutan's National Library and Archives.

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