Joint statement on the expanded comprehensive partnership between Mongolia and the United States
PoliticsThe Governments of Mongolia and the United States of America released the following statement on the occasion of the official visit of Mongolian Prime Minister Khurelsukh to the United States of America.
The United
States and Mongolia, recognizing that persistent efforts by both sides across
thirty-one years of diplomatic relations have deepened political, economic,
educational, cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries,
declared that their bilateral relationship had reached a new level of expanded
comprehensive partnership.
The two sides
recognized that the basic principles set forth in the 2007 Declaration of
Principles for Closer Cooperation, and supported by the 2004 and 2005
U.S-Mongolia Joint Statements, have provided a solid foundation for the
development of a relationship based on shared values and common strategic
interests. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to these principles as
they pursue avenues to further broaden and deepen their bilateral relationship.
The United
States hailed Mongolia’s transformation into a free and democratic society,
reaffirming both the friendship between the two countries and Mongolia’s role
as an important Indo-Pacific partner. Mongolia expressed appreciation both for
the unwavering support of the United States during Mongolia’s transition to
democracy and for continued U.S. partnership as Mongolia works to strengthen
its market economy, build strong governance institutions, and foster
sustainable economic development. Mongolia reaffirmed the role of the United
States as a significant third neighbor, a close friend, and an important
partner.
Regional
and Global Security
The United
States commended Mongolia for the long and distinguished service of Mongolian
forces serving in Afghanistan and expressed anticipation for its contribution
to the Resolute Support Mission beyond 2018. The United States also expressed
appreciation for Mongolia’s contributions to global peacekeeping, including its
efforts to enhance the peacekeeping ability of other nations through the Khaan Quest exercises. Mongolia thanked the United
States for its support of the exercises and of capacity building within the
Mongolian armed forces. Both sides pledged to continue to provide mutual
support in their shared pursuit of a secure, stable, prosperous world of
independent and sovereign countries.
Both sides also
reaffirmed the essential importance to regional and global security of the
final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, and pledged to continue cooperation
and information sharing to ensure the full implementation of all UN Security
Council resolutions. The United States thanked Mongolia for its assistance in
this regard and urged continued support for the efforts of the international
community.
Strengthening
Economic Cooperation
Under the new
expanded comprehensive Partnership, Mongolia and the United States expressed
their intent to strengthen their shared economic, trade, and investment
relationship for the benefit of both peoples. To that end, both sides noted
with approval the completion of the “Roadmap for Expanded Economic Partnership
between the United States of America and Mongolia” and expressed their desire
to take positive and effective measures to expand economic relations.
Both sides welcomed
the signing of Mongolia’s second Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact,
which will support vital improvements to infrastructure supplying water to
Ulaanbaatar, and will secure the long-term sustainability of that
infrastructure through policy reforms. The United States observed that the
Compact is representative of the U.S. desire to protect and promote the
principles of freedom, openness, sovereignty, and transparency in Mongolia and
across the region. Mongolia highlighted that the Compact is a symbol of the
lasting friendship between the Mongolian and American peoples; and it has an
important contribution to the economic development of Mongolia.
Recognizing
that a stable investment and financial environment is an essential component of
deepened U.S.-Mongolia economic relations, both sides acknowledged the
importance of strengthening Mongolia’s defenses against financial crimes,
improving transparency, and securing macroeconomic stability. Mongolia
expressed support for further cooperation on developing its anti-money
laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regimes, and reiterated
the country’s commitment to fulfilling its commitments as part of its IMF
program.
Shared
Values and People-to-People Exchange
The United
States and Mongolia affirmed that the two countries’ shared commitment to
freedom, democracy, and human rights represented a cornerstone of their
bilateral relationship. Mongolia thanked the United States for hosting the
Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, and expressed Mongolia’s desire to
promote religious freedom in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. The
United States welcomed Mongolia’s announcement at July’s Ministerial to Advance
Religious Freedom of its appointment of an Ambassador at Large for Religious
Freedom. Both sides committed to explore avenues through which to deepen
cooperation in securing and expanding religious freedom, with Mongolia as a
leader on this issue in the region.
Underscoring
the importance of cultural and educational cooperation, the two countries
reaffirmed their commitment to broadening educational programs through
public-private partnerships, increasing direct exchanges, promoting both
commercial and non-commercial cultural exchanges, and enhancing collaboration
through an increase of Peace Corps volunteers and their activities in Mongolia,
including, but not limited to, expanded English language teaching programs.
With the view of deepening these ties, Mongolia and the United States agreed to
announce 2019 as the “U.S.-Mongolia Youth Year.”
The two sides
also noted the importance of maintaining the frequency of high-level dialogues
and bilateral mechanisms, including the Annual Bilateral Consultations, defense
talks, the Economic Policy Dialogue, TIFA talks, and the Energy Cooperation
Dialogue to discuss and collaborate on efforts to advance bilateral priorities
and international peace and prosperity.
Mongolia and the United States reaffirmed their shared commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, respect for human rights, and promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond in the spirit of true partnership.
source: mfa.gov.mn