Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ 45 years ago, on September 15, 1972, Australia’s then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam established diplomatic relations with Mongolia; thus 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Australia.

The Australian Embassy in Ulaanbaatar hosted an Australian National Day reception on Friday, February 3 to celebrate the birth of Australia and Australia’s partnership with Mongolia. Attended by about 300 guests including heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Mongolia, diplomats, members of Mongolia-Australia Society or ‘Mozzies’ and Australian volunteers in Mongolia, the ceremony began with the state anthems of both countries.

“This is the first Australian National Day I have hosted in Mongolia as the first resident Ambassador. And this is a very important year for us as it marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Mongolia.  We have much to celebrate”, said Ambassador of Australia to Mongolia John Langtry.

“We have kept all of our promises to awardees studying in Australia, as well as those selected for the program in Mongolia in rebuilding the Australia Awards scholarship scheme. I am pleased that we will be able to start offering some new scholarships again this year, and that we intend to build on the numbers in the years to come”, remarked the Ambassador during his opening speech.

He continued, “Both Australia and Mongolia depend on foreign investment to develop our mining potential, and there is much experience we can share. We will continue to work hard to ensure that the enduring benefits of high-quality Australian investment in Mongolian mining are appreciated at both the national level and in local communities. Our emphasis will be on sustainable economic and social development in technical education, agriculture, public health and best-practice governance in mining. Australian volunteers are making a vital contribution to all of this”. Since 1998, over 300 Australian volunteers have worked in Mongolia.

“We are always pleased to take part in the Khaan Quest exercise hosted so capably by the Mongolian Armed Forces; and proud that our soldiers have served together in places like South Sudan and Afghanistan”, the Ambassador said.

“We have new governments in both Australia and Mongolia. Both of us are facing big challenges in restructuring and reforming our economies. Australia is pleased to see Mongolia rising to the task of restoring its budget finances and investor confidence”, he also noted.

Australia has been assisting Mongolia through an annual AUD 10 million bilateral development program. Education is one of the main two areas of cooperation between Mongolia and Australia. Since 1994, about 500 Mongolians have studied under the Australia Awards Scholarship scheme, creating a vibrant network of alumni. Mongolia- Australia Society or more commonly known as ‘Mozzies’ (Mongolian Aussies) now unites 280 members.

Development researcher Khuldorj Balganjav was one of the first Mongolian students to arrive in Australia in 1994. He recalled, “In the early 1990s, Mongolians knew very little about Australia; and so did Australians about Mongolia. I arrived in Australia on Bituun (Lunar New Year Eve) in 1994, and few Mongolians scattered in several big cities gathered to celebrate Tsagaan Sar that year. That was when we were first discovered by the Australian media. Australians knew of Chinese New Year celebrations, but they didn’t know about Mongolia’s Tsagaan Sar. So, our little celebration was covered by the media, for the first time distinguishing Mongolian Lunar New Year. Since then, we regularized the Lunar New Year celebration in Australia, and Australians began attending our celebration, eating buuz. Both being agricultural countries, Mongolians and Australians have a lot in common and a lot to talk about. I think, Mongolia and Australia got close in a short amount of time”.

Ambassador Langtry also said, “I think Australians and Mongolians get on very well naturally; our countries have many similarities such as same sense of humor and same family values, placing a lot of high value on good education”.

As the actual date to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relationship is September 15, he said, “We are still working on the program, we will certainly be doing some cultural events including some music and theater. I am certain that our Foreign Minister Julie Bishop would love to visit Mongolia this year. And we are going to open a new Embassy Chancery building”.