Mongolia and Kazakhstan Elevate Traditional Friendly Relations to 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 paying a State Visit to Mongolia on October 28-29, 2024. The two Heads of State held a press briefing on the outcomes of their official talks.
President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa:
“Honorable President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Representatives of the Press,
I extend my greetings to you all.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the honorable President for accepting my invitation and paying a State Visit to our beautiful country of ancient history and eternal blue sky.
I am confident that this historic State Visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev after 16 years since 2008 would make invaluable contributions to strengthening the friendship between the peoples and expanding the relations and cooperation between the two countries.
Since ancient times, our two peoples have had deep historical and cultural ties.
During your State Visit, we made a historic decision together to elevate the traditional friendly relations between Mongolia and Kazakhstan to the Strategic Partnership. This is a significant event to open a new chapter in the relations of the two countries. I am delighted to state that Kazakhstan has become the first Strategic Partner of Mongolia in Central Asia.
Your Excellency Mr. President, our official talks were held in a warm and businesslike atmosphere. We reviewed and discussed the achievements of the past 30 years, and exchanged fruitful ideas on enriching relations and cooperation between Mongolia and Kazakhstan with new content and expanding and developing them in all sectors in the coming years. Together, we outlined the prospects, priority areas, and roadmap for our future cooperation.
As an outcome of the official talks, I am pleased that the two Heads of State issued a Joint Statement on the Development of Strategic Relations between Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
Within the framework of this State Visit, documents were signed between the Governments and agencies to strengthen the legal basis of relations between Mongolia and Kazakhstan and expand cooperation in crucial sectors such as transport, logistics, agriculture, veterinary medicine, information technology, culture, and tourism. Our two countries also agreed to intensify cooperation in all sectors including roads, transport, agriculture, light industry, tourism, culture, and education, based on the vast potential for intensive development of mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
Concurring that cooperation in transport and logistics is essential for the expansion of economic cooperation between our two countries, we agreed to solve obstacles and problems in the road and transport sector, creating new transport and logistics routes within the framework of bilateral and multilateral legal mechanisms, and increase the number and routes of flights. In the framework of expansion and development of trade and economic cooperation, a Roadmap for Intensifying Trade and Economic cooperation between Mongolia and the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2025-2027 was concluded.
Cooperation Documents in the sectors of agriculture, veterinary medicine, and animal husbandry were established within the scope of increasing bilateral trade turnover to USD 500 million and expanding cooperation in the agriculture sector. We also agreed to mutually supply agricultural and light industry goods to the markets of the two countries and to study and implement joint projects and programs that will become a symbol of the relations between the two countries.
As part of the State Visit, the first business council meeting between Mongolia and Kazakhstan was held successfully, with many enterprises and business owners of the two countries attending. The fact that the Mongolia-Kazakhstan Business Council was established signifies the strong interest of the enterprises of the two countries to cooperate. Cultural relations serve as an important bridge connecting the citizens of the two countries, and we agreed to expand cooperation in this area through joint cultural programs, research into the unique historical and cultural heritage of Mongolia and Kazakhstan, and collaborative studies on intangible cultural heritage.
We have agreed to promote Mongolian and Kazakh studies, prepare teachers and researchers in language, culture, and area studies, and enhance cooperation between institutions focused on scientific and strategic research. Additionally, we reached an agreement to conduct joint historical and archaeological research and promote the nomadic civilization and culture internationally. During this State Visit, documents were signed for collaboration in tourism and information technology, which will boost the organization of cultural events, tourism activities, and cross-border tourism based on nomadic culture and customs. We also agreed to implement joint projects and programs in information technology, digital development, and telecommunications.
Mongolia and Kazakhstan have actively supported each other within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations and are committed to deepening our cooperation on regional and international platforms. We also agreed to contribute jointly to addressing climate change and protecting the environment, aligning Mongolia’s "One Billion Trees" National Movement with Kazakhstan's "Two Billion Trees" Project initiated by the President of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan expressed its appreciation for Mongolia’s steadfast support and collaboration within the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries, based in Ulaanbaatar. Through this Think Tank, we have agreed to strengthen our cooperation, align our policies, and intensify collaborative efforts for the development of landlocked countries.
Dear President,
I am satisfied that we enriched the traditional friendly relations between our two countries and elevated them to a “Strategic Partnership,” turning a new page in the history of relations between our two countries. I am fully confident that the official talks and the measures we agreed upon will become tangible actions for the prosperity of our countries and the betterment of the peoples of our two nations. I wish that the friendship between the peoples of our two countries would strengthen for generations to come and that the fraternal friendly relations and cooperation between Mongolia and Kazakhstan would prosper for eternity. I warmly welcome You, Honorable President, to visit our beautiful country of ancient history and eternal blue sky.
Thank you.”
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev:
“Honorable President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa for inviting me to Ulaanbaatar city on a State Visit. I also express my gratitude to the people of Mongolia for their warm and cordial welcome.
This State Visit holds special importance to me. Mongolia is an important neighboring country in our region. Our two countries share mutual goodwill, a common history, and shared intellectual and cultural values. Today's meeting coincides with the 800th Anniversary of Ulus of Zuchi, a significant milestone in Kazakh history. This carries symbolic significance for both our countries.
In recent years, Kazakh-Mongolian relations have been developing vigorously. Our cooperation, grounded in solid unity, has reached the level of a "Strategic Partnership." Along with President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, we have signed a Joint Declaration. This document will further strengthen the friendship between our two countries, promoting mutually beneficial relations across many sectors. Additionally, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, economics, culture, and humanitarian affairs.
As part of the State Visit, we signed several important agreements and documents. The official talks were highly successful. We agreed to revitalize our economic ties. Kazakhstan and Mongolia are among the major countries in Asia, which implies that trade between us should cover a broad spectrum. In recent years, trade volume has reached USD 150 million. We discussed increasing this to USD 500 million in the near future. To achieve this, the Governments of both countries will take concrete steps to expand product categories and address obstacles in economic cooperation.
Today, we signed a roadmap to enhance trade and economic relations, which will significantly expand the scope of bilateral cooperation. Moreover, we held discussions on cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, transport logistics, and energy sectors. Kazakhstan has the potential to produce vaccines against livestock diseases, and we have agreed to establish a vaccine manufacturing plant in Mongolia. We also discussed collaboration in new technologies, mineral resource utilization, and investment. I also shared Kazakhstan's advancements in e-government, cybersecurity, and space exploration.
Both our countries are rich in natural resources. We see a full opportunity for joint work in the exploration and development of iron, phosphate, bauxite, and rare minerals. Kazakh business owners are ready to cooperate in the mining sector. During the talks, we also exchanged views on transportation logistics. Enhancing the competitiveness of international corridors is essential. Developing inter-country and other transport connections will increase the volume of transit cargo passing through our territories. Utilizing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, as well as the Southern and Northern Corridors, is of key importance.
Yesterday, the first meeting of the Business Council between our two countries took place in Ulaanbaatar. During this meeting, our business people signed trade agreements and various other documents. Our governments are committed to creating favorable conditions for joint ventures. A Sister City Relations has already been established between Astana and Ulaanbaatar, and it would be beneficial to expand such relations to other regions.
Kazakh citizens of Mongolia serve as a golden bridge of strong friendship. I take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the Government of Mongolia, authorities, and people for their continued attention and care for our compatriots. We have given special attention to discussing cooperation in education, science, and culture. We also deliberated on new initiatives to enhance youth relations. Universities in Kazakhstan are always ready to welcome youths from Mongolia. I encourage scientists, researchers, and intellectuals to collaborate in studying our shared history. I am confident that these important steps will contribute significantly to the development and prosperity of both countries.
Honorable Journalists,
Kazakhstan and Mongolia have established close relations in both the international and regional fora, sharing common positions on many critical issues. Our cooperation is expanding through global and regional organizations, with a focus on strengthening Asian cooperation. The current geopolitical situation is in a delicate state, making mutual support and consultation within the United Nations and other international organizations essential. We will continue to develop our bilateral and multilateral relations.
We support Mongolia’s aspiration to pursue a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This visit marks a further strengthening of our cooperation. I extend my best wishes to the people of Mongolia. May our friendship endure forever.
Thank you."