Bayarkhuu Dashdorj,

Foreign Policy Analyst, Rtd Ambassador

We have seen that the special operation of the Russian military in Ukraine (actually, the "Russian-Ukrainian war") shocked Mongolians, dividing and quarreling them for a whole year.

The standpoint of the Mongolian State is clear. The recent State visit of the President of Poland and the visit of the US Under Secretary of State have confidently demonstrated that Mongolia has been maintaining a multi-pillar, peace-loving, and active foreign policy.

President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh stated, "May this beautiful BROTHERLY friendship between Mongolia and Poland flourish for generations!"

It is the Mongolian State’s assessment of the representative of the brotherly Polish people and the definition of the significance of the visit in one phrase. Do you agree?

“Poland is one of the third neighbors and close partners of our country, and the relations and cooperation between the two countries have been continuously developing even during difficult times. We are happy that Poland has decided to restore its Embassy in Mongolia and is officially opening it during the State visit,” said the President. Reopening the Embassy is the most trusted step in political relations and the beginning of a comprehensive partnership. Perhaps Poland will become our next partner to expand the list of countries with existing strategic partnerships (six countries) for our country.

President U. Khurelsukh said, “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Poland in 1950, our two countries have maintained traditional historical relations in all sectors. As part of its economic recovery policy, Mongolia is working to increase the participation of the third neighbor besides its two neighbors to diversify the economy and create a multi-pillar and sustainable structure.”

Our country is not going to turn its back on its two traditional neighbors as part of its economic recovery policy. However, it does not mean that it will always be dependent. In addition to those two, it is a matter of sovereignty for independent Mongolia to increase the participation of the "Third Neighbor" to diversify its economy and create a multi-pillar, appropriate structure. The Head of State openly stated that.

The President made a statement that gives answers to many problems that are troubling us right now. “We will clarify our investment policy, adhering to the principle of being a reliable, trustworthy, and long-term partner,” he said. “Comprehensive reform is being carried out to improve investment and business environment and protect the interests of investors.” He invited the entrepreneurs of the Republic of Poland to invest, do business in Mongolia, and cooperate for mutual benefits.

It is appealing that the President affirmed Mongolia’s readiness to cooperate in a strategically important area. " Our two countries have been cooperating in the mining industry for a long time. In 1962-1965, a 190-person geological team from Poland successfully conducted exploration and research work in the western region, and both sides cooperated. It should be noted that this cooperation expanded to an exploration of rare earth elements. There is a possibility to cooperate in the field of geology and mining in the future," the President stressed. Indeed, if Poland, as a new partner, enters to the mining sector, specifically in the fields of copper, gold, precious metals, and energy sector, we will be happy and welcome it. That would be a strategic breakthrough.

The speech of the Polish Head of State is an important political statement that touched the heart. "During the meeting, we discussed how to jointly overcome the challenges caused by the pandemic, the complicated international relations, and geopolitical situation, and expand and develop the relations and cooperation," an official press release says. I am going to highlight "overcoming the challenges caused by the complex geopolitical situation with joint efforts" in the policy of the third neighborhood.

It is clear what issues were called this way. The President of Poland has clarified himself. President Andrzej Duda thanked Mongolia for recognizing the Republic of Poland as the "Third Neighbor" that cherishes democratic values. He also emphasized that he understands Mongolia's geopolitical policy well and highly appreciates Mongolia for providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

President of Mongolia U. Khurelsukh had a telephone conversation with President of Ukraine V. Zelensky. The Ambassador of Ukraine was welcomed with respect and his Letter of Credence was received. I posted on FB, "National anthem of Ukraine was performed and the national flag of Ukraine was raised in Sukhbaatar Square. For the first time since 2010, the Ambassador arrived and presented the Letter of Credence to President U. Khurelsukh. The Mongolian State does not regard Ukraine as a Nazi-fascist country and receives its Ambassador, valuing its friendly diplomatic relations. This is the truth! Mongolia is a country that cherishes peace! It is an undeniable fact that the Multilateral Cooperation Partnership was established with Ukraine in 2011!”

Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, when receiving the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Ambassador Viktoria Nuland, emphasized that the Government of Mongolia attaches high significance to its relations with its important third neighbor- the USA, and expressed its interest in further strengthening strategic partnership, grounded on common democratic values, and expand and develop mutually beneficial cooperation, especially in increasing bilateral trade and investment and in the fields of creative culture productions, and e-transition.

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States V. Nuland expressed the same standpoint. "The United States is proud to be an important third neighbor of Mongolia, and attaches importance to strengthening partnership relations based on common democratic values that respect human rights and freedom, expanding and strengthening cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, investment, and fighting corruption," said in an official statement.

In the end, let me write a few words. Our country considers all the countries that were previously cursed as imperialists to be our "third neighbors."

Mongolia will always pursue a multi-pillar foreign policy that values world peace. We do not mean single-pillar!

The 6th President of Mongolia U. Khurelsukh took office and started his first overseas state visit in Russia (2021), and visited neighboring China and Japan. He paid particular attention to his multilateral diplomatic policy, and, to that extent, his reputation grew on the international stage. The President took part in the 76th and 77th Sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, annual high-level meetings of world leaders on climate change (Glasgow, Sharm El-Sheikh), XXII Meeting of the Council of Heads of States of the SCO (Samarkand, Uzbekistan), during which the regular meeting of the three Heads of State of Mongolia-Russia-China was held. UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Mongolia for the first time at the invitation of the President of Mongolia.

There were quite a number of reciprocal visits at the level of the Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Many of them are with our third neighbors. Everyone will see the results. Our foreign policy has consistently proved that there are no useless or needless visits.