Mongolia and Kazakhstan Sign the Declaration on Strategic Partnership
PoliticsUlaanbaatar, October 29, 2024 /MONTSAME/. At the invitation of President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is on a State Visit to Mongolia. During the State Visit, the two sides signed documents on relations and cooperation between Mongolia and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The “Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between Mongolia and the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Heads of State signed the declaration elevating the traditional friendly relations between Mongolia and Kazakhstan to a “Strategic Partnership.” Mongolia and its important partner in Central Asia, Kazakhstan, agreed to expand and develop cooperation in all social sectors including politics, security, trade, economy, education, culture, science, information technology, transport, logistics, tourism, people-to-people ties, and cooperation on regional and international fora based on the level of “Strategic Cooperation.”
The “Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation on Pension between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by the Minister of Family and Social Protection of Mongolia Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren and the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar. This agreement aims at imputing the number of years a citizen has worked in either of the two countries and deeming it viable for pension according to the national laws of the two countries, setting the amount of pension, and mutually transferring pension between Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The citizens of either country can now add up the number of years they worked and paid taxes in the two countries and receive a retirement pension according to that amount. This is significant, as the over 3000 citizens of Mongolia currently officially employed in Kazakhstan can now receive their pension and improve their social security. The process of establishing this agreement started in 2018, with 17 negotiations taking place, and is now complete.
The “Roadmap of Activating Economic and Trade Cooperation between Mongolia and the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2025-2027” was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh and the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar. The two sides agreed to cooperate in trade, transport, logistics, food, agriculture, tourism, and other sectors according to the measures reflected in the roadmap for 2025-2027.
The “Intergovernmental Agreement on Air Search and Rescue Cooperation between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by the Minister of Road and Transport of Mongolia Delgersaikhan Borkhuu and the Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Kazakhstan Marat Karabaev. This intergovernmental agreement aims at strengthening cooperation in the search and rescue sector, by enabling the exchange of information to conduct swift search and rescue and provide aid to citizens affected by disasters in the territories of the two countries. It will also allow the search and rescue agency of the other country to operate in its territory to conduct swift air and ground search and rescue operations.
The “Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Road and Transport of Mongolia and the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by the Minister of Road and Transport of Mongolia Delgersaikhan Borkhuu and the Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Kazakhstan Marat Karabaev. This MoU aims at increasing the efficiency of the international and bilateral transport of passengers and cargo, exchanging experience on the operations of land ports, increasing the amount of international passenger and cargo transport
As part of the MoU, the two countries will aim at increasing the efficiency of international and transit transport of passengers and cargo, share experiences on land port operations, cooperate in increasing the volume of international passenger and cargo transport, and develop the Mongolia-Kazakhstan transport route. This will be significant in ensuring fast and consistent transport between the two countries, increasing exports and imports, and activating regional trade and cooperation.
The “2025-2027 Cooperation Plan between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu. The Cooperation Plan outlines areas for cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs over 2025-2027, aimed at further strengthening the Mongolia-Kazakhstan strategic partnership. The Agreement aims at increasing the frequency of political dialogues, organize reciprocal high-level visits, and formalize regular discussions at the leadership level of both ministries on issues of mutual interest in bilateral, regional, and international matters.
The “Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth of Mongolia and the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth of Mongolia Nomin Chinbat and Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva. The MoU includes plans to collaborate on exhibitions, art performances, and film screenings, while also supporting the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage and promoting cultural exchanges. As countries with deeply interconnected histories, cultures, and nomadic traditions, Mongolia and Kazakhstan will implement cultural programs and conduct studies to explore and document unique historical and cultural sources. The Memorandum of Understanding also provides for collaborative research on intangible cultural heritage, the development of Mongolian-Kazakh studies, and expanded cooperation between museums.
The “Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth of Mongolia and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by Minister of Culture of Mongolia Nomin Chinbat and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Mongolia Gabit Koishibayev. The MoU aims at strengthening cooperation between tourism authorities, jointly organizing tourism events and festivals, promoting each country’s image, and supporting the development of tourism based on nomadic culture and traditions. The two countries also agreed to work together to increase investments in the tourism sector and to develop tourism infrastructure and facilities.
The “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the fields of Light Industry, Veterinary Medicine, and Quarantine between the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia Enkhbayar Jadamba and Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aidarbek Saparov.
Under the MoU, the two sides will exchange experiences and cooperate in introducing technologies and attracting investment in the deep processing sector of wool and leather, developing the manufacturing facilities of wool and leather, and training engineers, technical staff, and relevant specialists from governmental agencies and enterprises. The two sides agreed to mutually support the development and improvement of the control system, standards, and laboratory facilities for the processing of livestock leather and wool. In the future, the two sides discussed the possibility of implementing joint projects and programs that could serve as the symbol of bilateral relations. The two parties reached a consensus on enhancing cooperation between agencies in charge of veterinary medicine and quarantine, creating a unified information system, increasing the number of certificates of food supply veterinary medicine, and facilitating information exchange in the sector. By mutually agreeing on international veterinary medicine, quarantine, and hygiene requirements, the two sides will bolster the trade of goods and products deriving from animals and livestock.
The “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the fields of Communications and Technology between the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications of Mongolia and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications of Mongolia Baatarkhuu Tsend and Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan Jaslan Mädiev.
Under the MoU, the two sides will share experiences in identifying, analyzing, and addressing urgent national issues using information and communications technology. The two sides agreed to cooperate in attracting investment to support small and medium-sized enterprises, innovation, and startup businesses in the sector and studying platforms that provide artificial intelligence-based solutions to government organizations.
Moreover, the two parties will cooperate to keep pace with the information technology era, utilizing modern technologies, science, and high technology to foster national development.
The “Memorandum on Cooperation in the field of Nuclear Energy between the Nuclear Energy Commission of Mongolia and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was signed by Secretary of the Nuclear Energy Commission of Mongolia and Head of the Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission Manlaijav Gun-Aajav and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Mongolia Gabit Koishibayev.
Under the Memorandum, the two sides will collaborate on organizing joint theoretical and practical training sessions, seminars, and meetings for advanced training and exchanging experiences in uranium extraction, special license, and radiation safety for peaceful purposes of nuclear energy use.