JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN MONGOLIA AND THAILAND
29 APRIL 2013, ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA

Introduction

At the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Norovyn Altankhuyag, Prime Minister of Mongolia,  Her Excellency Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, paid an official visit to Mongolia from 27 to 29 April 2013 and attended, as Guest of Honour, the opening session of the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the Community of Democracies at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia.
 
During the visit, Prime Minister Yingluck called on President Elbegdorj and His Excellency Mr. Zandaakhuugiin Enkhbold, the Speaker of the Parliament of Mongolia, and had a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Altankhuyag.
 

A New Chapter

The two Prime Ministers shared the view that the visit, the first ever by a Thai Prime Minister, marks the opening of a new chapter in Mongolia-Thailand relations.

Prime Minister Yingluck commended Mongolia for the remarkable progress made in building a democratic society, a free market economy and for its recent achievements in economic and social development. Prime Minister Yingluck also applauded Mongolia’s active foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region and international fora. The Thai Prime Minister also reaffirmed the Royal Thai Government’s commitment to deepening ties of friendship with Mongolia.
 

Laying Down Frameworks for Future Cooperation

The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of Mongolia on the establishment of  the “Consultative Body on Bilateral Cooperation” and the Agreement between the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia on Cooperation in the Fields of Science and Technology, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking of Thailand.
 

Increasing High-level Exchanges

The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the increased high-level exchanges between the two countries in recent years. In particular, the Royal Visits of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to Mongolia and the visits of the President and the Prime Minister of Mongolia to Thailand, respectively, have significantly reinforced the momentum for cooperation between                          the two countries.

Both sides agreed to promote the exchanges of visits at all levels, particularly between the government leaders, ministers, parliamentarians and senior officials.

Expanding Bilateral Trade and Investment

The two Prime Ministers agreed that the two countries hold tremendous economic potential for each other as market, source of imports, investment destination and tourist destination.

Both sides agreed to double the volume of their bilateral trade in the next three years (2014-2017). With a view to realizing their bilateral trade target, they also agreed to conclude the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement between Mongolia and Thailand in the near future.

Prime Minister Altankhuyag expressed his appreciation for the presence of Thai investors in Mongolia and expressed his wishes to see Thai companies further explore investment opportunities in Mongolia in the areas of mining, agriculture, food processing, healthcare, tourism, and energy. 

Both leaders acknowledged that the Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments is one of the most important legal instruments in promoting investment between the two countries.  Both leaders looked forward to the conclusion of the Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of Mongolia for the Promotion and Protection of Investments.
 

Continuing Technical Cooperation

Prime Minister Altankhuyag expressed gratitude for the contribution made by the Government of Thailand during Mongolia’s transitional development period through technical assistance and various training programs. The Mongolian side further noted that Thailand’s assistance is crucial to Mongolia at this stage of rapid economic development.

Prime Minister Yingluck also reaffirmed the Thai Government's commitment to continuing technical cooperation with Mongolia through the Thailand International Development Agency (TICA), other relevant Thai agencies, the private sector and academic institutions.
 

Enhancing Public Awareness and Cultural Cooperation

The two Prime Ministers recognized the need to promote greater awareness and understanding between the peoples of Thailand and Mongolia. Both leaders therefore agreed that the two countries will intensify efforts to promote exchanges at all levels and utilize all frameworks of interaction including Sister-City Relations between Bangkok and Ulaanbaatar, Parliamentary Friendship Groups, and the Mongolia-Thailand Society for Economic Cooperation. Both leaders noted the shared cultural similarities, Buddhist belief and traditions, and historical links. Both leaders agreed that the two countries should take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2014 to organize cultural and educational activities in their respective countries.
 

Intensifying Regional and Multilateral Cooperation

Recognizing their shared values, the two Prime Ministers agreed to work together to promote  democracy, human rights, environmental conservation, and the empowerment of women; tackle the scourges of terrorism, drugs and transnational organized crimes; as well as to work together in various UN peace-keeping missions. 

At the regional level, the Thai Prime Minister noted Mongolia’s interest in joining the East Asia Summit, becoming a dialogue partner of ASEAN, as well as a member economy of the APEC. The Thai Prime Minister also welcomed the appointment of the first Mongolian Ambassador to ASEAN.

On the Mongolian part, Prime Minister Altankhuyag praised Thailand’s initiative to host the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit, under the theme “Water Security: Leadership and Commitment,” and appreciates the cordial invitation extended to the President to attend the event. The Mongolian side promised to dispatch a high- level delegation to attend the Summit. 

At the international level, Prime Minister Yingluck congratulated Mongolia on its successful Chairmanship of the Community of Democracies (CD) for 2011-2013 and expressed support for  the CD Presidency’s priorities, including education for democracy and regional cooperation. Thailand applauds the Asian Partnership Initiative for Democracy (APID) as a framework to strengthen democratic values in the region and appreciates Mongolia’s invitation to consider joining the APID.

The Prime Ministers exchanged views and agreed to give due positive consideration with respect to each other’s bids and candidatures for positions in the UN and its system organizations, as well as other various international organizations.
 

Future Directions and Next Steps

The two Prime Ministers agreed to work closely through the newly established mechanism and all channels of communication to ensure concrete outcomes of bilateral cooperation in the years to come.

In this regard, Prime Minister Altankhuyag welcomed Thailand’s proposal to host the first meeting of the “Consultative Body on Bilateral Cooperation” in Thailand next year. The Prime Minister of Mongolia also accepted the Thai Prime Minister’s invitation to pay an official visit to Thailand next year as part of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Mongolia.

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