Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ “The United States has been and remains proud to be Mongolia’s “third neighbor,” a phrase coined by U.S. Secretary of State James Baker during his historic 1990 visit to Mongolia”, remarked Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Jennifer Zimdahl Galt at the opening ceremony of an academic conference themed ‘A commitment towards a strategic partnership’ which is taking place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

January 27 marks the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the United States, and the conference is the first of series of events that are taking place in commemoration of the anniversary.

Co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mongolian Diplomatic Academy, Institute of Strategic Studies of National Security Council, Institute of International relations of Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Defense Institute, the conference assembles over 100 foreign policy experts, scholars and ambassadors.

On January 27, 1987, US Secretary of State George Schultz and Mongolian Ambassador to the United Nations G.Nyamdoo signed a Memorandum of Understanding formally establishing diplomatic ties between Mongolia and the US.

“Our formal diplomatic partnership began 30 years ago today with the signing of a communique; a little more than a year later, the US opened its first Embassy in Mongolia and the first resident US Ambassador arrived in 1990”, Ambassador began as she opened a photography exhibition held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dedicated to the anniversary displaying the main achievements in bilateral relationship, contributing figures, major events and people-to-people relations between the countries.

“The first years of our bilateral relationship were marked by Mongolia’s landmark decision for democracy and its transition to a free market economy. Historic visits followed accompanied by the signing of agreement such as the memorandum establishing the Peace Corps in Mongolia. Over time, our bilateral relationship has grown into a robust partnership, spanning political, economic and defense issues, and encompassing deep cultural and people-to-people ties”, she said.

“Today, the US and Mongolia work together to advance democratic ideals in the UN and other international organizations, partner to spur economic growth, and strengthen our bilateral trade ties including through our newly signed transparency agreement which will come into force on March 20”, she also said.

In the margins of the anniversary, Mongolian ethnic band 'Khusugtun' is set to tour in cities such as Washington, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle in March this year.

In return, the Philadelphia Orchestra of the US will visit Mongolia in June this year to perform for the first time.