Government Action Program About Defence and Foreign Policy

1. The defense set-up of Mongolia and military reform policy shall be implemented consistently in accordance with the principles of the State military policy and measures shall be taken to eradicate distortions and problems accumulated in this field in recent years. Within the framework of these aims following actions shall be taken:

Revise and work out Defense and other laws & regulations, incorporate and enforce ways & forms of civic control over activities of Armed forces and other military organizations;

Define priorities and implement an initial stage of upgrading weapons & armament and technical renovation of Armed forces & Border Security Force;

Improve the organization of military, intensify the reforms, and increase the capabilities of military force;

Upgrade qualification of personnel of professional military units through improvement of terms and conditions of voluntary military services on agreement basis;

Revise and improve the training concept of military personnel of Armed forces in conformity with the contemporary needs and goals, conduct training in the areas different from basic responsibilities, such as natural disaster relief, rectification of damages of industrial accidents and humanitarian assistance to civilians;

Conduct training for those of substitute military service in particular cases such as to take measures to avoid natural disaster or to prevent industrial accidents and to fight them.

Ensure preparatory measures and undertake initial steps to participate in UN peace-keeping activities by personnel of Armed forces;

2. Independence and sovereignty of Mongolia shall be protected and conducive environment for peaceful life to its people shall be created. Within the framework of these aims following actions shall be taken:

Evaluate implementation of the State policy on the Border of Mongolia, laws and regulations related to border and of international agreements to which Mongolia acceded and improve their legal regulation. Create an independent set-up of Border Security Forces;

Conduct activities to stop and eliminate cross-border pilferage, intensify preventive measures against violations of State border, especially in Uvs, Zavkhan, Huvsgul, Dornod and Sukhbaatar aimags and ensure the integrity and non-violability of the borders of Mongolia;

Improve step by step the process of renovation of communication, technical supplies and transport of the Border Security Forces;

Improve the system of involvement of citizens, local organizations in regions in the protection of State border;

Undertake measures to further perfecting and renewing the agreements with the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on border regime and border ports and cross-points;

Develop incentives for stable and constant work by military officers and warrant officers in regions;

Improve living conditions and social security of military officers and warrant officers, assist them in obtaining civil profession simultaneously. Support the provision of job opportunities for family members of military officers and warrant officers serving at the border;

Actively participate in multilateral activities on strengthening regional security and military confidence building, expand external military relations and cooperation;

Resolve issues of creation of funds for rectification of damages caused by natural disasters and major industrial accidents;

Ensure all aspects of national security such as political, economic, civilizational, ecological etc. and prevent internal and external factors that may adversely affect on national security;

Create conducive environment for peaceful life of citizens and expand mutual cooperation between citizens and police;

Create legal environment which will ensure protection of the rights of Mongolian citizens working abroad and foreign citizens living in Mongolia ;

3. The Government shall thoroughly carry out, in line with the new realities at home and abroad, the principles and priority directions defined in the National Security as well as Foreign Policy Concepts of Mongolia and actively pursue an independent, open and multi-pillared foreign policy in accordance with its national interests and goals of sustainable development. The government shall uphold the continuity and integrity of foreign policy and shall continue to strengthen the independence, sovereignty and international position of Mongolia . Within the framework of this objective, the foreign policy program of the government is defined as follows:

The neighboring countries:

Good neighborly, friendly relations and all-round cooperation with the neighboring countries shall be maintained and promoted on the basis of traditions and confidence.

Good-neighborly, friendly relations, and equal, mutually beneficial cooperation with the Russian Federation shall be developed and expanded in all spheres and directions according to the provisions and spirit of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between Mongolia and the Russian Federation and all outstanding problems shall be solved in an appropriate way.

The good-neighborly, friendly relations and equal, mutually beneficial cooperation with the People’s Republic of China shall be developed in a stable manner in accordance with the provisions and spirit of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation as well as of the Joint Declaration of 1998 signed between Mongolia and People’s Republic of China .

Cross-border pressing issues with neighboring countries shall be settled, the opportunities and potentials of economic cooperation shall be optimized, its efficiency shall be increased, cultural and humanitarian relations shall be promoted.

Relations with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region:

An active foreign policy shall be pursued in the Asia-Pacific region, bilateral relations and cooperation with countries of this region shall be developed and expanded.

Bearing in mind that the relations with the USA are significant in strengthening Mongolia ’s democracy and market economy system, the relations and cooperation with this country shall be further developed and enhanced.

The comprehensive partnership relations and cooperation with Japan shall be further strengthened and expanded.

Friendly relations and cooperation with countries of the Asia- Pacific region such as the Republic of Korea and the Republic of India shall be promoted.

Level of political relations with ASEAN member states, as well as with Australia , New Zealand and Canada shall be upgraded and the framework of cooperation with these countries shall be expanded and enhanced.

Cherishing historical and cultural traditions, friendly relations and cooperation with Central Asian countries such as the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be developed.

While promoting cooperation with Latin American countries within the framework of international organizations, efforts shall be exerted to establish trade and economic relations with influential nations of this region.

Active bilateral dialogues and talks on Asia Pacific and North East Asia regional security issues shall be promoted on regular basis.

Relations with European countries:

Bearing in mind the significance of relations with European countries in achieving the objectives of strengthening democracy and market economy in Mongolia , mutually beneficial cooperation shall be developed with these countries.

Partnership relations with the European Union shall be enhanced, cooperation shall be expanded and developed with its member states, in particular with the FRG, the UK , France and Italy .

Mutually beneficial cooperation shall be developed with other European countries.

Relations with Middle Eastern and African countries:

Within the open foreign policy of Mongolia , relations, especially trade and economic cooperation with countries of Middle East and Africa shall be developed.

Relations with the UN and other international organizations:

The Government shall effectively participate in the activities of the United Nations Organization, its specialized agencies and other international organizations, in an endeavor to fruitfully benefit from the potentials of these organizations for guaranteeing national security, achieving social and economic goals.

The UN GA resolution on International security and the nuclear free status of Mongolia and the National Law on Mongolia ’s nuclear weapon-free status shall be implemented, and the nuclear weapon-free status of Mongolia shall be secured at the international level by an appropriate international law.

The Government] shall actively participate in the works of the Nonaligned Movement and the Group of 77, cooperate with them on issues consistent with the common goals of developing countries and of its own national interests, and shall support to advance the North-South dialogue in order to reach an agreement.

Duties assumed under international organizations and international treaties shall be fulfilled.

Prospects of accession to international treaties on issues of human rights, protection of environment, improvement of situation of vulnerable strata of society, transnational issues, including combating organized crimes, terrorism and narcotics shall be explored, and Mongolia shall cooperate with international organizations in this field.

Participation in the Multilateral Processes

Mongolia shall work in a constructive and efficient manner to have its participation in the multilateral processes and dialogues on the issues related to the Asia-Pacific, Northeast and Central Asian security and in the regional economic and political integration processes.

Mongolia shall participate actively in the ASEAN Regional Forum /ARF/ activities and shall engage in the APEC and other multilateral dialogues aimed at developing political and economic cooperation between Asia and Europe .

Promoting External Economic Relations

The Government shall pursue a policy aimed at ensuring the unity of political and economic facets of the Mongolian foreign policy, managing the foreign economic relations in such a manner so that it should help in solving the outstanding social and economic tasks of the country.

While promoting close cooperation with donor countries [The Government] shall create favorable conditions for foreign trade and ensure conducive environment to attracting foreign direct investment. For these purposes the related laws and regulations shall be perfected.

Protection of Mongolian citizens’ rights abroad

The Government is committed to facilitate the external travel regime for Mongolian citizens and attaches importance to the creation of an optimal legal environment for their study and work abroad. It shall also bring the consular service quality to the international standard.

Cultural and Humanitarian Relations

In developing humanitarian relations with foreign countries due attention shall be attached to the close cooperation with individuals, NGOs and local administrations and shall encourage their activities.

Shall promote active relations with international educational, cultural, art, sports and information organizations and foundations and accede to relevant treaties, stimulate active engagement of Mongolia in the international humanitarian activities.

Through promotion of Mongolian national culture abroad [The Government] shall expand the ranks of well-wishers and supporters of Mongolia .

Through expanding ties with people of Mongolian origin abroad endeavors shall be made to employ and encourage their potentials.