[The last two weeks of foreign affairs news from Mongolia. Most articles directly translated from Mongolian news sources.]
Asia
Mongolia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Ts. Sukhbaatar, presented his credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari. Among other things, they discussed Mongolian-Pakistani cooperation in the ADB’s Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program.
Mongolia’s director of Parliament, Z. Enkhbold, met with a group of Thai representatives in Ulaanbaatar, expressing that Thailand is a key partner for Mongolia in Southeast Asia. This year, Mongolia and Thailand mark 40 years of diplomatic relations.
Mongolia’s ambassador to Thailand presented his credentials to the Thai Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
On official invitation from the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Mongolia, and met with L. Bold. They discussed ways to increase mutual cooperation, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on furthering cooperation.
L. Bold attended a meeting in Japan on Oita-Mongolian Friendship and Cooperation.
Leader of Parliament, Z. Enkhbold, received Mr. M. Xayashi, head of the Mongolian-Japanese Friendship Forum. The meeting of the Forum focused on societal and economic cooperation as well as student exchanges.
The Secretary of Administration of the Mongolian Parliament, B. Boldbaatar, received Sultanov Marat Abdrazokovich, a member of Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament current on an official trip to Mongolia.
The Diplomat and East Asia Forum ran an article on Mongolian-Kazakhstani relations proposing 3 reasons for the limited ties between the two countries: historical political boundaries, Kazakhstani-Russian relations, and the democratic-authoritarian restrictions.
Europe
Mongolia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, L. Bold, met with Ireland’s Ambassador to Mongolia, where they discussed relations in the broader context of Mongolian-European affairs.
The Mongolian Embassy in Stockholm opened a “Citizen’s Room” where Mongolians can come together to discuss a variety of issues and seek council as needed.
Consultations were held between the German and Mongolian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, during which they discussed opportunities for cultural and governmental cooperation in the area of education. They also took the time to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations.
The Mongolian-Czech Governmental Commission held their 5th meeting.
Mongolia’s ambassador to the Czech Republic, D. Zumberellham, met with the Czech Vice President, to discuss economic affairs ahead of a meeting of the Mongolia-Czech business forum.
The director of the Russian Federation’s Election Commission visited Mongolia an expressed interest in Mongolia’s experience with new electoral technologies.
On the invitation of vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, D. Gankhuyag, Russia’s undersecretary of foreign affairs I. V. Morgulov made an official visit to Mongolia. During his trip, he met with the Mongolian Prime Minister and head of the Mongolian-Russian Governmental Commission. They also held official consultations between their respective Foreign Affairs Ministries.
Mongolian passport holders can now travel to Belarus visa-free for up to 90 days. Mongolia and Belarus are also preparing to conclude an agreement on cooperation in science and technology.
North America
Minister of Defense, D. Bat-Erdene, met with U.S. Senator John MacCain and Sheldon Whitehouse in Ulaanbaatar to discuss US-Mongolian defense cooperation.
Middle East
Mongolian appointed a new consulate in the Kingdom of Jordan, which will operate out of Mongolia’s Embassy in Cairo. The consulate will not only handle issues of trade of investment, but also provide protection for Mongolian citizens’ interests in the country.
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