OPENING STATEMENT

OPENING STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. G. ZANDANSHATAR, MP,

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE OF MONGOLIA

AT THE 2011 OSCE-MONGOLIA CONFERENCE “ON ENHANCING OSCE CO-OPERATION WITH THE ASIAN PARTNERS IN ADDRESSING COMMON CHALLENGES THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO SECURITY”

Ulaanbaatar, 23 May 2011

Honorable Deputy Foreign Minister Evaldas Ignatavičius,

Distinguished participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Government of Mongolia and in my own name I warmly welcome and thank all of you for coming to attend this Conference, which is being co-organized by the Government of Mongolia and the OSCE. By co-organizing the Conference, the OSCE demonstrates its appreciation for the role and contributions of my country to international and regional cooperation, for which I wish to express our profound gratitude.

First of all, it should be highlighted that representing Central Asia, Kazakhstan has energetically and successfully chaired the OSCE in 2010. Mongolia commends the OSCE’s commitment to a free, democratic and indivisible security community, which is reflected in the Astana Commemorative Declaration of 2010.

It is a pleasure to note that 2011 is a unique year for Mongolia. This year we are marking several historically vital events such as the 2220th anniversary of the founding of Mongolia's Statehood-Hun Empire, the 100th anniversary of the National Freedom Revolution that restored the independence, and the 50th anniversary of the country’s membership of the United Nations. We are honored to host this Conference within the framework of the centenary celebration of our modern diplomatic service together with the world's largest regional security-oriented intergovernmental organization.

As you are all aware, the Conference will focus on the broader issues of strengthening synergies in responding to transnational threats, intensifying international economic co-operation, with a special focus on transport and energy security, and the role of human rights, fundamental freedoms and rule of law in promoting comprehensive security. I strongly believe that the Conference will serve as an important platform to exchange views on the above mentioned pivotal topics and issues.

Bearing in mind that Afghanistan’s internal developments can have serious implications for regional and international peace and stability, we will also discuss the optimal ways to promote capacity building of Afghanistan and strengthen her diplomatic service. Since your thoughts and proposals are immensely valuable to us, I would like to recommend you all to actively participate in the side event entitled “Afghanistan capacity building: strengthening the diplomatic service”, and share your ideas and visions on how better prepare for our planned training program for Afghan diplomats that is scheduled for coming September in Ulaanbaatar.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

While pursuing a peace-loving, open, independent and multi-pillar foreign policy, Mongolia takes an active part in addressing the pressing regional and international challenges and stands for ensuring human rights, the rule of law and democracy, and makes every effort to achieve these goals. As a result of wide-ranging and swift reforms and a series of policy measures undertaken in all socio-economic spheres since it had embarked upon a democratic and market-oriented transition in 1990, my country has achieved remarkable success in a relatively short span of time.

As you might know, Mongolia will assume the Chairmanship of the Community of Democracies as of 1 July, taking over from the current Chair - Lithuania. We are happy that Mongolia’s proposed topics for enhanced focus during the Chairmanship, namely democracy education; strengthening CoD regional cooperation; working with and supporting civil society organizations; and interacting with other democracies and sharing experiences have been welcomed by the Convening Group and other stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies and civil society organizations.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere congratulations to the Lithuanian Presidency for its dedication and practical efforts to reinvigorate and make the Community of Democracies an important international fora.

Mongolia is for further reform of the Community of Democracies. The new structure needs to be helpful for the Chair to continue to energize the forum.

I am pleased to note that OSCE and its partners have been supportive of the Community of Democracies. In this regard I have no doubt that Mongolia, as the next chair will have your full support and collaboration in fulfilling this prestigious, yet challenging task.

Becoming an Asian Partner for Co-operation to the OSCE was one of the accomplishments of our foreign policy aimed at broad interaction with regional and international dialogue mechanisms. Seizing this opportunity, I would like to express our interest in further expanding our relations with the OSCE in all areas of co-operation.

Expansion of cooperation with the OSCE is in full conformity with the recently adopted Foreign Policy Concept of Mongolia which underlined that expanding and intensifying Mongolia’s participation in international organizations and contributing to addressing pressing global issues are one of the objectives of the country’s foreign policy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am convinced that you will have fruitful discussions at the OSCE-Mongolia Conference in the coming two days which will generate valuable contributions to broadening further the participation of Asian Partners in the OSCE’s activities and will promote open and direct dialogue, equal cooperation, shared interest and values in the political-military, economic and environmental as well as human dimensions.

The OSCE security activities across all the three dimensions mentioned above could serve as useful examples for security cooperation in Northeast Asia. OSCE’s unique features, including its co-operative and comprehensive approaches to security, conflict prevention instruments, well-established confidence and security-building measures, large, operational network of field missions are valuable assets to be drawn on in terms of practical application in Northeast Asia.

Maintaining lasting peace and stability in Northeast Asia, realizing the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and normalization of relations between North and South Koreas are important prerequisites for predictability, prosperity and development in Asia and the world in general. Mongolia maintains friendly relations with all the countries of the region and strives to actively promote and participate in regional cooperation and integration.

Mongolia shares the imperative to establish a multilateral security cooperation mechanism in Northeast Asia. With this view in mind, in 2000 at the 55^th session of UN General Assembly Mongolia proposed to establish a dialogue mechanism to discuss the Northeast Asian regional issues. The compelling need of establishing such a mechanism is ever growing.

Distinguished participants,

As a landlocked developing country, Mongolia acknowledges that overcoming the barriers to international transit transport and trade is crucial for economic growth and national prosperity. Hence, an International Research Center of Landlocked Countries was recently established in Ulaanbaatar with the aim of undertaking researches regarding the challenges and opportunities for landlocked developing countries and making practical suggestions thereon. The Ninth Annual Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) held in September 2010 has adopted the final text of the multilateral agreement on the establishment of this international think tank for landlocked developing countries.

Therefore, we call on the OSCE participating states and partners to support the goals and the future activity of this research center that would help this group of countries to overcome its handicaps and meet its particular developmental needs by improving their transit transport systems and access to world markets.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

True to its democratic goals, which it set nearly 20 years ago, Mongolia is fully committed to respecting the rule of law and human rights. It has become the first Asian Partner that has taken the first step to abolish the death penalty when it announced a moratorium on executions. We are open to your inputs and cooperation in this regard.

I am sure that fresh, bold and innovative ideas and insights, as well as policy recommendations on how to strengthen co-operative security between the OSCE and its Asian Partners for Cooperation will emerge from your presentations and discussions. The experience that we all gain from this and other similar fora will assist us all in our future endeavors.

I wish every success to the Conference.

Thank you for your attention.