Zandanshatar: Many Factors to Update Foreign Policy Concept

A draft parliament resolution on the promulgation of Renewed Concept of Foreign Policy of Mongolia has been submitted to the Parliament.

The Foreign Ministry G.Zandanshatar presented the draft protocol to Parliament Speaker D.Demberel last Friday. Unuudur Daily Newspaper asked some questions for details.

- It is believed that a foreign policy concept is the constitution of foreign policy. What was the necessity to update and enrich this important document?

- There are a number of emerging external and internal factors urging us to update the concept. For instance, the world has seen significant changes in international relations since 1994, including increasing globalization, newly-emerging world development centers and new trends in economy and climate and many others. Some East European states became members of the European Union as they adopt new concept of foreign policy.

- What about internal factors?

Significant increase in number of foreign nationalities coming to Mongolia for various purposes such as schooling, employment and residency is becoming an urgent issue to consider. We are on the verge of new development phase due to mining boom in the country and there is a real need to balance dependence from economic impact. We cannot deny that there were some cases that deterred not only the interest of Mongolia but also the relations with other countries, like making badly-prepared talks that don’t comply with the state policy etc.

- The Foreign Ministry was rated excellent for its work done last year. Especially the relations with major partner countries was said to be progressive?

- In 2010, several mutual visits were made which strengthened and advanced to a new level existing relationships with Russia, China, Japan and European Union and others. It should be mentioned that some progress was achieved in concluding free trade pact with partner and neighboring countries and joining regional trade pacts. For instance, a joint research team was set up and is working to prepare for signing an economic partnership agreement with Japan.

- What is the progress of a program to economize the foreign relations?

- It is said that a good beginning is the half of work. As of November 2010, total foreign trade turnover reached US$5421.8 million. It is a growth of 51.0 percent since the launch of the program. To conclude, the competitiveness of Mongolia got stronger and the interest to run a business and invest in Mongolia has remarkably increased.

- Japanese citizens started to visit Mongolia without visa, resulting in more inbound tourists from Japan. The more tourists, the more income to Mongolia. Is there any other talks regarding visa-free visit?

- Talks are ongoing with several countries like Poland, Germany, Lithuania and South Korea. A proposal was made to implement visa-free system for citizens of EU member states. Efforts are being made to ease visa restrictions for Mongolian citizens going abroad and some are at final stage. - Thank you for your time.