“Our relationship keeps developing,” says Canadian ambassador

The Canadian Ambassador to Mongolia, Gregory Goldhawk, accompanied Prime Minister S.Batbold when he recently visited Canada. He answers questions on the visit and on bilateral issues between the two countries.

The Prime Minister has said that Canada could be our model for development. Just what did he mean?
I was present at several of Mr. Batbold’s meetings and I would say he was referring to Canada’s similarities to Mongolia in having a sparsely populated and large territory and enormous natural resources. I am glad that he held our country in such esteem.

What would the Canadian model be?

I think it would mostly relate to development of mining and mineral resources and the use of appropriate technology. We are ready to provide assistance in these.

What were the principal issues discussed during the visit?

Investment and its protection was one. Then there were talks on a free trade agreement. If one is signed, it would be the first such Canadian agreement with an Asian country. Three important memorandums were signed. The first was on cooperation in transportation and construction; the second was on strengthening democratic practices, such as reforming the state services; and the third was on information technology and support in agriculture.

Diplomatic relations were established 27 years ago but why was the Canadian Embassy opened only two years ago?

Mongolia opened a Consulate in Toronto in 1998 and its Embassy in Ottawa in 2001. It now has honorary consuls in six provinces in Canada. On its part, Canada appointed an honorary consul to Mongolia in 1997 and the Embassy was opened in 2008. We shall soon have a Trade Representative Office in Ulaanbaatar, so the relationship keeps developing. Our two countries call it a “broad-frame partnership”.

There have been several exchanges of visits since the middle of the 1990s to discuss matters of mutual interest. A “friendship and cooperation” memorandum was signed in 1998. Canadian MPs set up a Canada-Mongolia friendship group in 2003.

What are the main fields of cooperation?

The possible areas are many, particularly in trade and economic matters. The volume of bilateral trade is not big, but it rose last year to USD165 million. Canada imports gold from Mongolia and exports agriculture equipments.

It is hard to get a Canadian visa. Will this change?

The issue was discussed during Mr. Batbold’s visit. I shall try to make things easier.

Canada is a major investor country in Mongolia. Will there be more investment?

I think there is scope to raise investment in mining and in agriculture. The other possible fields are construction, urban planning, infrastructure, road and transportation, and technology.

What about non-trade ties?

We are partners in UN peacekeeping activities, and regular meetings are held on developing good governance practices.

Are disputes such as the one related to Khan Resources likely to affect investment?

I do not know much about the particular dispute because I am still quite new here, but both sides are trying to resolve the matter amicably. The number of companies in the mining field has increased.

What can the Government do if an investing company violates the law?

Every country has its own legal environment and I am sure Canadian companies do and will work strictly within it. Mining companies should also pay attention to environmental protection as an expression of social responsibility. I think Canadian companies are good in these respects.

Do you see China as the main competitor of Canada in the Mongolian uranium field?

Not only Canada, many other countries could work in the Mongolian uranium field. I don’t see China as a strong competitor for Canada as we have much more experience of safe mining of uranium.

How do you see the present political situation in Mongolia?

I have been here for only six weeks and am still observing things. I just want to say I am very happy to represent my country in Mongolia.

What are your first impressions as Ambassador?

Mongolia is trying to balance the old and the new. You are lucky to have such enormous economic potential. Countries with natural resources have some special problems and I hope Mongolia would resolve them correctly. It would be a different country in 15 years.