Ulaanbaatar, February 7, 2024 /MONTSAME/.  President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier is paying a State Visit to Mongolia on February 7-8, 2024, at the invitation of President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. 

President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a press briefing after their official talks at the State Palace. We present the full transcript of the speech of President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the State Visit of President of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Mongolia at the invitation of the President of Mongolia on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Republic of Germany. The State Visit of Your Excellency has opened a new page in the history of warm friendly relations and cooperation between the people of Mongolia and Germany, defining the road map of friendship, partnership, and cooperation between the two countries for the next 50 years. It is a historic visit as the relations between the two countries have been brought into a Strategic Partnership.

Mongolia considers Germany as our third neighbor, a close trusted partner and friend in Europe, and Germany is the first European country to establish a Strategic Partnership with Mongolia.

We discussed in detail and exchanged opinions about the joint implementation of large-scale mutually beneficial projects aimed at strengthening and further developing the achievements of the past 50 years of Mongolia-German relations and cooperation, and increasing economic benefits, and investments.

As a result of our talks, we issued a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between Mongolia and the Federal Republic of Germany, and the parties signed an intergovernmental agreement on international road transport relations, and documents on cooperation in economic diversification, improvement of legal and judicial capacity, sustainable energy, in the sectors of culture, education, science, environment, and archeology. We also agreed to continue the rich history of relations between the two countries in the education sector, expanding cooperation in higher education and vocational training.

A century ago, in the 1920s, the first over 30 Mongolian youths, including our great writer Natsagdorj Dashdorj, went to Germany to study, were trained as intellectuals of the new generation of our country, and made a valuable contribution to the development of modern Mongolia. Today, I am happy to state that following this pathway about 35 thousand Mongolians have learned the German language and culture, acquired education and skills, and become a bridge of friendly relations and cooperation, and between the people of Mongolia and Germany.

I am confident that the President Scholarship awardees studying in Germany will be a bridge of friendship between the people of our two countries, and will honorably continue the historical tradition of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries. In addition, I am pleased to note that with the support and assistance of German friends, the German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology which opened its doors in 2014, has grown into another symbol of cooperation between the two countries, training hundreds of specialists and contributing to the development of the country.

Your Excellency,

For more than 30 years, our two countries have been connected and working together based on the common values of democracy and human rights. In 1992, Mongolia approved its new Constitution, establishing a democratic government that values human rights and freedom. Germany's judicial and legal experience played an important role in laying the foundation for this new legal system. This support from Germany to the legal sector of our country is invaluable, and our cooperation continues to develop.

Over the past 20 years, Mongolia has sent more than 20,000 of its peacekeepers to hot spots around the world to protect the peace and security of mankind, and it is a pleasure to note that our success was greatly supported by our German friends. Additionally, over the past 30 years, our people have always been grateful for the support and assistance of more than EUR 530 million from the German people and government for the development of Mongolia.

Last year, cooperation in the development policy of our two countries was revived, and Germany agreed to provide Mongolia with development assistance equivalent to MNT 300 billion until 2025. We are confident that this support will make a significant contribution to our country's sustainable economic development, employment, energy transition, mitigation of climate change, conservation of natural resources, and the successful implementation of the “One Billion Trees” National Campaign.

In the future, we will steadily develop our “Strategic Partnership,” increase economy, trade, and investment, introduce modern advanced techniques and technologies in infrastructure, mining, fuel, and energy sectors, and work together to deepen relations and cooperation in culture, education, science, environment, and humanitarian sectors.

Mongolia's peace-loving, independent, open, and multi-pillar foreign policy and Germany's efforts for global peace and security and sustainable policies against climate change are mutually coordinated. We are committed to expanding and developing our cooperation.

Thank you for your attention.”