Ulaanbaatar, May 26, 2025 /MONTSAME/. At the invitation of President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Federal President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen is paying a State Visit to Mongolia on May 25-28, 2025.

During the State Visit, the two parties signed the following documents to strengthen the legal basis for bilateral cooperation. 

1. The Joint Declaration of Mongolia and the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.

The two sides reaffirmed shared commitment to respecting the fundamental principles of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and international law, including human rights, strengthening multilateral cooperation within international organizations, promoting human rights and freedoms, ensuring global peace and security, addressing global challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, ensuring the effective implementation of international humanitarian law, and advancing sustainable development.

The two sides agreed to expand friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, aligning the principles of Mongolia's peace-loving, independent, open, and multi-pillar foreign policy and the "Third Neighbor" policy with Austria's consistent policies and activities aimed at strengthening global peace, security, and sustainable development.

2. An Agreement on Social Protection between Mongolia and the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Family, Labor and Social Protection of Mongolia Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.

The Agreement establishes legal conditions to ensure social security for citizens of the two countries, create favorable working and living conditions and opportunities, and receive pensions for the period of payment of social insurance contributions in Mongolia and Austria.

3. An Agreement on Visa Exemption for Diplomatic Passport Holders between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.

Citizens of the two countries holding diplomatic passports can now travel visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The Agreement aims at easing visa requirements for citizens traveling abroad and increasing the number of countries that Mongolian citizens can travel to visa-free under the “Strong Mongolian Passport” goal.

4. An Agreement on the Repatriation of Illegally Residing Citizens between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Austria was signed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Austria Tsengeg Mijiddorj and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.

The Agreement will establish the legal framework for the formal requests for repatriation of citizens illegally residing in the two countries, and expand bilateral cooperation in facilitating legal migration.

5. A Letter of Intent on Financial Cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of Mongolia and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Finance of Mongolia Javkhlan Bold and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.

Following the completion of the EUR 40 million Financial Cooperation Agreement, the two sides affirm mutual aspiration to establish the next agreement. The two sides will work together to spend the funds from the General Loan Agreement on health, medical equipment, infrastructure, agriculture, and education sectors.

6. A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Exchanging New Technology and Best Practices in Mining between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Mongolia and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Austria was signed by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Mongolia Tuvaan Tsevegdorj and Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Nikolaus Marschik.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the two sides will collaborate in sharing and introducing new technology and best practices, conducting joint research, and training professionals in the mining sector.

The two sides agreed to cooperate in facilitating cooperation between research and analysis institutions of the two countries, implement joint projects and programs, implement projects that support the planning, construction, and operation of waste processing plants, develop sustainable energy technologies, ensure cybersecurity, digitize small and medium-sized enterprises and develop engineering operations in the mining and mineral resources sectors. To implement these measures, a joint Working Group will be established.

7.  An Agreement on Cooperation in Science between the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Austrian Academy of Sciences was signed by President of the  Mongolian Academy of Sciences Demberel Sodnomsambuu and President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Fassmann.

Under the revised Agreement, the scope of cooperation will expand, the number of traditional and new joint research projects and programs will increase, and the human resources of the sector will be strengthened.

8. A Protocol on the Implementation of an Agreement on Cooperation in Science between the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Austrian Academy of Sciences for 2025-2030 was signed by President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences Demberel Sodnomsambuu and President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Fassmann.

The two sides will implement the "Mobility" Project to exchange scientists and researchers, exchange information and good practices through joint research, strengthen human resources of the sector, and expand the network of scientists and researchers.

9. A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Mongolian State Conservatory and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna was signed by Director of the Mongolian State Conservatory Sharavtseren Tserenjigmed and Rector of the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna of the Republic of Austria Ulrike Sych.

The two universities will collaborate by exchanging classical music teachers, students, and musical pieces by Mongolian and Austrian composers, jointly creating works, implementing joint projects for teachers, organizing scientific and academic conferences, and implementing projects on morin khuur, tsuur, and ethnic musicology in collaboration with Austrian music scholars. It will enable the introduction of new teaching methods and new approaches in Mongolia for the first time.

10. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia and the Institute of Iranian Studies of the Austrian Academy of Sciences was signed by Director of the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia Chuluun Sampildondov and President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Heinz Fassmann.

The two sides will collaborate on scientific studies and research, mutually study historical documents and collections, and implement joint scientific projects.