Official negotiations with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko held official negotiations with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in Ulaanbaatar on 3 June.

A meeting traditionally began with an official welcome ceremony with the national anthems and a march-past of the honor guards dressed in historical costumes of Genghis Khan's era on the square in front of the State Palace in Ulaanbaatar.

After the official welcome ceremony, the leaders of the countries started negotiations one-on-one. Interestingly, a traditional Mongolian yurt, which was installed in one of the halls of the palace, was chosen as the place for the meeting between Aleksandr Lukashenko and Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.

“Today we have defined the strategic areas of bilateral interaction. Not only strategic ones. We have discussed specific economic and cooperation projects. I spoke about three concrete projects yesterday and today. The documents that we signed today show that it is already much more than three projects,” the Belarusian leader said. “Each of them meets the goals and objectives of such national programs of Mongolia as Vision 2050, Food Revolution, Billion Trees and others”.

The parties agreed on the supply of Belarusian machinery for the mining industry, agricultural machines and equipment, and emergency response vehicles. The parties also look into the possibility of training Mongolian specialists to use this equipment and increasing the number of Mongolian students in Belarus.

The Belarusian President also spoke in favor of setting up joint enterprises in Mongolia to assemble tractors, trucks, elevators, and dump trucks and teaching Mongolian youth at these enterprises. “If the volume of supplies grows, we will set up joint ventures. In this regard, we count on the success of Belarusian equipment and technologies,” he said.

Mongolians are familiar with Belarusian light industry products and foodstuffs and appreciate them for their quality and affordable prices. Therefore, Belarus is interested in increasing supplies and expanding the range. “We are considering the possibility of opening Belarusian trading platforms,” the President said.

“Belarus is focused on long-term mutually beneficial cooperation. Therefore, we are ready to offer, among other things, project preferential financing mechanisms,” the head of state assured.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that he was well aware of the coverage of his visit to Mongolia, both positive and negative feedback, the opinion of the opposition in this country. “For the opposition I would like to say the following. We didn't come here to find some kind of profit. Our trade is about $30 million, which is meager. We discussed this issue with the President yesterday,” the Belarusian leader said. “We want to increase it. But not just for our benefit. Belarus is a high-tech country since the Soviet Union. If Mongolia is interested in our technologies (we can take up any project), we can compete on a fair basis with any state that is located next to you.

“We are not here for profit. We want to restore our relations, which have always been more than friendly but fraternal. This is the point of our visit!” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

The President stated that Mongolia, like Belarus, has large neighbors and many sincere friends all over the world. “We understand and are very impressed by Ulaanbaatar's pragmatic approach to foreign policy. It is very difficult for you. We are in the same situation, deprived of access to the sea. You are sandwiched between the two empires, as people say. We are in the same position,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. “We can confidently say that our countries have not had any big problems and disagreements. It is all based on our long-standing relations since the times of the Soviet Union.

The head of state hailed the progress in Mongolia's development over the past three decades.

Belarus supports Ulaanbaatar's aspiration to conclude an interim agreement on trade with the EAEU by the end of this year, which would open the way for the growth of mutual trade and Mongolian exports not only to Belarus. Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that the time has come to pay special attention to this. “Again, I want to address the opposition. What benefit will we gain here if we support your contacts with the EAEU? These are your nearest neighbors. You should develop broad cooperation with them. We are ready to lend a shoulder,” the Belarusian leader assured.

“Our consumers are interested in your quality goods. Such goods as cashmere, wool and leather goods will be popular in our market. We are ready to assist the Mongolian side in opening stores in Belarus, including in Minsk,” the Belarusian leader assured.

In addition to the economy, the talks also focused on cooperation in science and education, environmental protection, culture, media, sport, and tourism. There is a common interest in cooperation in security, law enforcement, and response to emergency situations. “What concerns the security and defense of your country... You possess untold riches. You have everything under your feet. Even the things that are yet to be discovered. You think they will let you live in peace? That's why you have to be able to protect it. We're ready to give you a shoulder to lean on. There are no closed topics in cooperation with you and there will never be. You are our close people,” the President added.

The head of state pointed out that in addition to 14 bilateral documents signed following the official talks, another dozen and a half contracts were concluded within the framework of a joint business forum in Ulaanbaatar. “This shows that Mongolian specialists are interested in Belarus. The interest is mutual,” he noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked Mongolia for the warm welcome: “I was deeply impressed by the hospitality of people and the beauty of nature in the Land of the Ever-Blue Sky. Indeed, we have brought rain to you. This is for good mood and success of our negotiations. The high-level visit to your wonderful country is the first since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, which I was also somewhat involved in as a member of parliament.”

The visit of the Belarusian delegation is taking place in the run-up to an important event for Mongolia - parliamentary elections. In this connection, Aleksandr Lukashenko wished this election campaign to be successful. He also wished peace, wellbeing and prosperity to the people of Mongolia.