Ulaanbaatar, July 9, 2024 /MONTSAME/. President of Mongolia H.E. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and King of Bhutan His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck held a tête-à-tête meeting at the State Palace of Mongolia on July 9, 2024. 

At the outset of the meeting, President of Mongolia H.E. Khurelsukh expressed confidence that the King of Bhutan’s first State Visit to Mongolia would further enhance the friendly relations between the two countries, which is based on shared values of heritage, peace, and prosperity, and strengthen the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

King of Bhutan His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck expressed heartfelt gratitude to the State and Government of Mongolia, and the people for their warm welcome extended to the Royal Family and the Bhutanese delegation. His Majesty highly appreciated the stable development of relations and cooperation between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2012, and the intensification of political dialogue.

The two parties concurred that the State Visit of the King of Bhutan to Mongolia is of high significance in determining the future direction of Mongolia-Bhutan relations and cooperation.

During the meeting, the two Heads of State emphasized the deep historical, religious, and cultural ties between Mongolia and Bhutan, despite their geographical distance. H.E. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck expressed confidence that this State Visit would open a new chapter in the relations between the two countries based on past achievements.

As Mongolia and Bhutan are landlocked developing countries, the two countries aim at transforming it into an advantage by fostering unity, mutual understanding, and partnership to overcome common socio-economic challenges and achieve sustainable development. The two Heads of State also agreed to support the activities of the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries and contribute to formulating the development policies of the landlocked countries.

President of Mongolia and the King of Bhutan noted that a Joint Statement issued as a result of this visit would serve as a roadmap for the development of political, economic, educational, cultural, health, scientific, agricultural, and environmental cooperation, as well as the exchange of the peoples of the two countries.

The Bhutanese side highlighted the potential for expanding cooperation in agriculture, particularly, the livestock sector, emphasizing the significance of a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed between the Ministries of Agriculture of the two countries. 

President of Mongolia H.E. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and King of Bhutan His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck highlighted the vast potential for expanding cooperation in education and culture. 

To foster the exchange of people, the two Heads of State agreed to leverage the tourism advantages and resources of the two countries by aligning Mongolia’s “Go Mongolia” Campaign with Bhutan’s “Bhutan Believe” National Brand.

The two Heads of State agreed to work closely on global efforts to combat climate change and desertification and protect the environment. Also, the two sides agreed to explore the opportunities to implement joint projects under Mongolia’s “One Billion Trees” National Campaign and Bhutan’s The Million Fruit Trees Plantation (MFTP) Project.

The Heads of State also expressed commitment to deepening mutual support and active cooperation in regional and international fora, including the United Nations and other international organizations.

The two sides signed a Joint Statement and bilateral documents aimed at strengthening the legal framework of Mongolia-Bhutan relations.