Dutch royal couple completes their Bhutan tour

Thimphu, November 01: The Dutch royal couple has completed its four day tour to Bhutan on Tuesday expressing willingness to return to this hilly kingdom for another visit.

"I really enjoy high mountains but, in the meantime, we will be following with great interest what is happening in your country," the Netherlands crown prince Willem Alexander told reporters here.

He said he would add the Himalayan kingdom to their annual 'to-visit' list.

The couple also praised the development model that Bhutanese regime chosen — Gross National Happiness.

Alexander thanked the rulers of Bhutan for their efforts to end the isolation and enter the age of transformation still preserving culture, traditional values, religion and way of life at the same time.

"It is a spectacular combination to maintain and also to move forward. It is important that Bhutan achieves this goal," he said adding that his government will have full cooperation to Bhutanese regime.

Princess Maxima said the world would be examining the democratic transition in the country and the commitment from their rulers for its sustainability.

"It would be as interesting to note if people are happy with the pace of the projects. It is an interesting theory (gross national happiness) but it would be interesting to see how they go about the practicalities of it, which could be a bit cumbersome." 

The royal couple was here on the invitation of Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal.

The royal couple, invited by King Khesar, held personal discussion with Khesar and visited places of historic and religious significance in Paro and Thimphu valleys. Bhutan News Service