Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The 14th meeting between the State Great Khural of Mongolia and the European Parliament was held on February 23.

MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Group of the State Great Khural for relations with the European Parliament Ts.Munkhtsetseg and MEP, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Central Asia and Mongolia Andris Ameriks delivered opening remarks.

The sides approved the minutes of the 13th Mongolia-EU Inter‑Parliamentary Meeting and unanimously expressed their readiness to cooperate in further expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening the shared values of democracy, human rights, freedom, and a free market economy.

The meeting discussed a wide range of issues including the implementation of the Mongolia-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, political and economic development with the European Union, expansion of Mongolia-EU inter-parliamentary cooperation, green development, post-COVID-19 challenges and opportunities, and human development in Mongolia with a focus on human rights.

MP Ts.Munkhtsetseg, and MP, Member of the Parliamentary Group of the State Great Khural for relations with the European Parliament, Head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice S.Byambatsogt gave updates on the legal reform being made in accordance with the amendments to the Constitution of Mongolia. MP, Head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy B.Battumur gave information on the country’s economy and regional cooperation issues.

Deputy Speaker of the State Great Khural, Member of the Parliamentary Group of the State Great Khural for relations with the European Parliament S.Odontuya expressed her views on issues related to climate change, children’s rights, and gender equality.

Noting that Mongolia has become the first Asian country to approve a law on the legal status of human rights defenders, MP Ts.Munkhtsetseg stressed that a law on the financing of political parties is being drafted in accordance with the constitutional amendments.

MEP Andris Ameriks expressed his pleasure that the identification of green sustainable development and democratic and economic development as the two mutually priority areas of cooperation for the EU’s Multi-annual Indicative Programme .2021-2027 for Mongolia is aligned with certain objectives in the Mongolian Government’s New Revival Policy.

The sides also emphasized the mutual support they are providing one another as the pandemic continues to pose challenges to the global economic development, cooperation, travel, and freight transport.

During the 14th meeting between the State Great Khural and the European Parliament, the sides discussed strengthening economic cooperation and trade and investment between the two countries, and stepping up the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus, Registered Exporter system, and ‘Trade Related Assistance for Mongolia’ project. It was also decided to hold the next inter-parliamentary meeting within the first two months of 2023.