Mongolian foreign minister addresses OSCE Permanent Council, expresses hope to expand co-operation

Mongolian Foreign Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar addressed a special session of the OSCE Permanent Council on 9 June 2011, outlining Mongolia’s co-operation with the Organization as well as developments in the country.

An OSCE Partner for Co-operation since 2004, Mongolia recently hosted a conference on enhancing OSCE co-operation with the Asian Partners in its capital Ulaanbataar.

“Eight years have passed since Mongolia became a Partner for Co-operation of this largest regional organization,” said Zandanshatar. “This Partner status provides Mongolia with an opportunity to work closer with the Central Asian and European States based on OSCE agreed principles and norms. My country strives to make its modest contribution to OSCE-related processes by abiding, where possible and on a voluntary basis, by OSCE standards and values, and participating to the extent possible in its multi-dimensional activities.”

The Minister discussed the reforms Mongolia has undertaken, including to promote the rule of law, democracy and human rights, its support for nuclear non-proliferation and peacekeeping operations, and its efforts in the priority areas of climate change and environmental protection.

Zandanshatar said Mongolia expected to sign a partnership and co-operation agreement with the EU shortly, and expressed his hope that the country would be able to expand further its co-operation with the OSCE well beyond partnership.