Speech by Dalrain Davaasambuu, Mongolian Ambassador
House of Commons, Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council, London
Dear MPs
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is my distinct honour and pleasure to address this esteemed audience and talk on about Mongolia’s foreign policy. First of all I am delighted to thank every body who came here today for their interest in Mongolia and would be happy to know your ideas and comments.
Foreign policy, international relations are very much an essential and integral part of small Mongolia and its people’s life. We are proud with the history of my country, last year we celebrated 800 years of Mongolian statehood, which goes back to the unification of the Mongolian tribes by Chinggis Khan. I would like to stress only two important International relations aspects of the Chinggis Khan‘s political heritage. One is Mongolian people’s identity as a nation. The Great Khan, together with the Buddhism in the Tibetan-Mongolian tradition and his achievements has been at the center of Mongolian national identity, especially in times when Mongolian has some challenges.
The second political heritage is diplomatic immunity, When Chinggis Khan sent his missionaries to the other countries he handed to them the 'golden gerge' (golden plate), with the following inscription: 'Credentials given by the Great Chinggis Khan. Bearer of these Credentials is entitled to an unhindered passage in the realms of the Great Khan, to whatever protection and support he may need along his way'.
Some international scholars say that the word 'ambassador' has originated from the Mongolian word 'amban said' which has the meaning close to 'governor'.
The 'Pax Mongolica' or 'Mongolian Peace' brought the first in –depth contacts between Europe and the Far East immortalized by monks like Wilhelm Rubruk and traders such as the Polo brothers.
All this is just to say that Diplomacy has a long tradition in Mongolia.
Now, let me give you a brief outline of Mongolian foreign policy today.
Features of Mongolian foreign policy:
The main goal of the Foreign Policy is to ensure the independence, security and prosperity of the country.
1. Features of foreign policy
1.1. Mongolian government is trying to pursue active, multi-pillared, open and consistent foreign policy. It is ensured by the principals and objectives laid down by the Concepts of the National Security and Foreign Policy adopted by our Parliament, the ‘ State Great Khural’ in 1994. These two documents as well as the Defence doctrine have been serving as a stable and long basis of our foreign policy for more than ten years.
1.2.
1.3. There is a rule of practicality. Mongolia as a landlocked country situated in between two big giants: the Russian Federation and The People’s Republic of China, must to hold friendly, good, neighbourly relations with these two countries. It is also vital to have more friends from all over the world including some big powers. We will not forget the help of donor countries headed by the US, but also the EU and Japan. They have extended political and economic support when the Mongolian people were in trouble after break down of the Soviet Union.
1.4.
1.5. Mongolia as a former socialist, developing, small, landlocked, Asian and mineral resource rich country should take all the values and innovations characterised in each group of countries related to the above mentioned dimensions and add own voices in consolidation of the common interest and objectives. For instance, we are trying to maintain our traditional and historical relations with Poland, Hungary and other former socialist countries, most of them are part of EU. I mean that we are seeking and hoping for the additional support from those countries in relations with the EU.
1.6.
1.4 Morality is also important for us. Most Mongolians connect past achievements in both political and economic terms with Russia. Despite repression of Buddhist monks and religion as well dictatorship forced by the Soviet Empire in Mongolian society, significant progress had been made in formation of modern Mongolia, particularly in education, health and other social sectors. Soviet times have also brought a discovery of Europe, because many Mongolians went to Moscow, Prague, Budapest or Berlin to study or work.
I should point out that a majority of the Mongolian people is accepting our government’s decision to send troops to peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Afghanistan and to the coalition in Iraq. This is seen as a moral obligation of our country.
1.5 We are closely watching global and regional issues like terrorism, security, environmental degradation, natural disasters, epidemic, poverty and corruption. Out of those issues, environmental degradation, poverty and corruption are those topics where Mongolia especially needs an urgent solution, as well International support and consultation.
1.6 Mongolia attaches a great importance to the International Institutions like, UN, other International economic and financial organizations as well as NGOs. Mongolia wants as widely as possible recognized and legally protected in International treaties and wants to play an active role in the regional and world wide arena.
1.7 We are constantly working for enhancing an accurate and sound understanding by the outside world about this small country. In this regard we would like to have a broad access to the International media and more freedom of the press and speech as well as active awareness work.
2. Relations with major powers
2.1. Two neighbours: As I mentioned, we have friendly relations with our two neighbours. Since 1921 when the People’s revolution was won in Mongolia with help of Russia until 1990 Mongolia and Russia became close friends and Mongolian Chinese relations were characterised by the nature of relations between China and Russia. When our two neighbours had good relations we benefited from good relations with them.
After the fall of Berlin Wall, when International situation had been changed, Mongolia wants to be neutral and to have balanced relations and paid more attention to reconfirm principals of co-existence with Russia and China. The principals of co-existence as you know are 1) mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; 2) mutual non-aggression; 3) mutual non- interference in each other’s internal affairs; 4) equality and mutual respect; and 5) peaceful co-existence.
Mongolia concluded the treaties of friendly relations and cooperation with the Russian Federation in 1993, with the PRC in 1994 which are considered the cornerstones of our new bilateral relationship. These treaties confirm Mongolia's independency and territorial integrity- in other words two our neighbour reconfirmed principals of co-existence with Mongolia by signing the treaties. We don’t have border disputes with two neighbours and our border lines with them fully delineated and demarcated.
We are satisfied with frequent visits to Mongolia by leaders of our neighbours, and visits of our leaders to their countries. Russia remains an important supplier of energy, an essential part of our infrastructure net and industry. China is becoming a more important trade partner and investor and also a generator of wealth.
During his visit in July 2005 Chairman of PRC, Mr Hu Jin Tao, said that “to have a mutual trusted partner’s relations with Mongolia has been a strategic choice of China… Our two countries being peacefully, eternally co-existed neighbours, mutually trusted friends, co-developed good partners.”
2.2 Mongolia pursues a multi-faceted policy; some people call it a third neighbour policy.
Mongolian democracy and its open, liberal approach towards both domestic and
International affairs are respected by most big powers like the United States, the EU,
Japan other developed and developing countries. We are encouraged by their support and are grateful to them. I would like to mention the G7 summit in London 1991, which welcomed Mongolian democracy and market economy and expressed support of Mongolia's efforts. Since that time our political and economic support is expanding and intensifying with the US, EU (including, of course, the UK) and nations such as Japan, Canada, Australia, ROK and India.
As to our relations with the USA, since 1991 as strong indication of its support of Mongolia’s democracy, free elections and transition to market economy USA took several vital for Mongolia of that time decisions. America, through the World Bank and IMF, initiated the establishment of a group of donor countries and international organizations. It mainly resulted from the Secretary of State of the USA James Baker’s two visits to Mongolia in 1990 and 1991 and contributed to overcoming difficulties faced by Mongolia at that time. The USA included Mongolia in the Preferential Trade System, a quota free regime which created many jobs for Mongolians. In the first visit by a sitting US president to Mongolia in October 2005 George W. Bush elevated Mongolia’s international reputation.
I am delighted to underline that during our president’s recent visit to USA, Mongolia became the first Asian country to qualify for the President Bush’s signature Millennium Challenge foreign-aid program. This pledge of aid has a volume of $285 million. Of this, $188 million will fund a railway project and the rest will be scattered among projects to enhance or overall financial education and health systems.
2.2 As to aid assistance, Japan is a main donor for us both in development and technical assistance. Japan provided around 1.5 billion USD of assistance, most of which is aid.
Mongolia established diplomatic relations with Japan in 1972, bilateral relations gradually progressed until 1990 and since early 1990s they have substantially increased. In 1991 the Japanese government declared Mongolia’s democracy-building support policy through bilateral and multilateral channels and launched all round comprehensive aid. Two countries are wishing to develop a broad range partnership and cooperation in all sectors. We are looking for more investment, new technology and favourable trading conditions.
2.3 The EU countries bilaterally and multilaterally support Mongolia.
The most recent good example is that the European Commission in 2005 included Mongolia in the list of additional 15 vulnerable developing countries to whom was given duty and quota-free access to the EU countries under the GSP+ incentive. Out of the EU countries, Germany, is the biggest donor for Mongolia and has active and comprehensive relations with Mongolia.
2.4 I also must praise the UK. In the press release issued by the FCO during our president’s official visit to the UK in April 2007, Mongolia was considered a strategic partner.
I am delighted to also mention London based Rio Tinto, together with Canadian company Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. have agreed in principle to an investment agreement with the Mongolian government to develop the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold deposits. The investment would be worth an initial US $ 1.5 billion. This will ensure that a large part of Mongolia’s resources will be exploited in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way with the latest techniques available worldwide.
As stated in the Joint Statement on the occasion of the visit, the UK was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Mongolia, in 1963. Since that time, our countries’ relations have progressed and deepened, and are now based on shared values of democracy, free trade and the maintenance of the rights of the individual.
We are also encouraged by the recent extension of the Generalised System of Tariff Preferences (GSP+) by the EU to Mongolia, mainly through the support of the UK and her great citizen and Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson who first agreed to grant the system to Mongolia.
We hope all these actions will promote trade and investment between Mongolia and UK. The UK decided to wave its share of Mongolia’s debt to the World Bank. I don’t like to talk about positive developments only, but there is one more thing I should mention. People to people’s links are increasing and the international interdependence of interests of both the business community and individuals are on the rise.
3. Strengthening institutions: Mongolia and international cooperation
Mongolia is working hard to achieve an important role in the international arena.
Many resolutions and decisions were initiated and declared at the United Nations.
Mongolia declared its policy against having foreign troops deployed within
its borders and also, importantly, its status as a nuclear weapon free and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) free state.
Mongolia is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Convention on Destruction of Chemical and Bacteriological Weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Test Ban Treaty and a firm supporter of the Non-Proliferation Regime.
Last year Mongolia hosted the OSCE-Mongolian Conference. Three years ago in the capacity of Chair there was held the Fifth International Conference of New or Restored Democracies in Ulaanbaatar.
Mongolia is bidding for membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cummunity (APEC), ASEAN and UN Security Council. Last year Mongolia became a member of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
Mongolia is an Observer of Shanghai Organization of Cooperation.
Mongolia would like to be involved in and to bring our own contribution to a better
solution of the Korean Peninsula security issue since we enjoy active and good
relations with both ROK and the DPRK. The DPRK is the second country in the
world which recognized Mongolia and established diplomatic relations with us.
Most important is the fact that we don't have hostilities. Some scholars say that
Mongolia could become the political and economic model for North Korea.
Mongolia firmly stands for a nuclear weapon free Korean peninsula and appreciates the results of the Six Party Talks and would be ready to take any initiatives.
4. Attracting investment through predictable policy and vision
The Mongolian Government is pursuing a liberal and open foreign trade policy and considers foreign direct investment to be an essential instrument for the development of the country’s economy.
Mongolia’s Membership of the WTO highlights its relative success in pursuing economic reforms and developing a new trade regime in line with international trading principles.
The international boom in demand for commodities is encouraging interest of investors. At the same time, the overall business environment in Mongolia for the last 15 years, especially last year, had been improved. The tax burden had been reduced. Both corporate and individual taxes reduced. Due corrections have been made in investment and mining laws and regulations under pressure from the public domain. Good lessons have been learnt about tackling corruption and balancing public and business demand.
Copper, gold, coal, uranium, steel and cashmere wool related projects will make difference in the economy and badly needed infrastructure.
Mongolia can be a good transit destination and contributor to the regional networks.
My country is rich in energy, coal and other resources. For example, if Russian and Chinese energy or transport networks are interconnected through Mongolia, there would be several benefits, namely: It gives access to untouched Mongolian mineral resources and meets growing demand in China and international markets at large; Mongolia will feed the networks with its own products.
Global investors could contribute towards the networks and share benefits.
We need to find out how we can integrate regional networks like energy, transport and others with our own contribution as well as mutual international input to benefit all.
In the conclusion I would like to say that now Mongolia pays more attention to trade and economic relations and its foreign policy will be focused on creation of a favourite trade and investment climate internationally and to get duty free access for Mongolia products and more tourists from all over the world. Mongolia’s landlessness can be justified by doing so.
Thank you very much for your attention.