Foreign relations of Mongolia

Foreign relations of Mongolia

In the wake of the former Soviet Union's economic collapse, Mongolia began to pursue an independent and nonaligned foreign policy. The Prime Minister called for coexistence with all nations, and Mongolia follows a general policy of expanding relations with as many countries as possible.

Due to Mongolia's landlocked position between the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union and People's Republic of China, it was essential to continue and improve relations with these countries. At the same time, Mongolia is reaching out to advance its regional and global relations.

As part of its aim to establish a more balanced nonaligned foreign policy, Mongolia is seeking active supporters and friends beyond its neighbors and looking to take a more active role in the United Nations and other international organizations.It has begun a drive for international recognition of a one state Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.

While it is downgrading relations with most of its former east European allies, it is pursuing a more active role in Asian and northeast Asian affairs. Mongolia is seeking to join APEC and became a full participant in the ASEAN Regional Forum in July 1998. Mongolia became a full member of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council in April 2000.

Mongolian relations with the PRC began to improve in the mid-1980s when consular agreements were reached and crossborder trade contacts expanded. In 1989, the People's Republic of China and Mongolia exchanged visits of foreign ministers. In May 1990, a Mongolian head of state visited China for the first time in 28 years.


The cornerstone of the Mongolian-Chinese relationship is a 1994 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which codifies mutual respect for the independence and territorial integrity of both sides. The two foreign ministers exchanged visits in 1997, as did the leaders of the two countries' parliaments. President Jiang Zemin visited Mongolia in July 1999.

Mongolia is expanding relations with the nearby rich nations of Japan and South Korea. Its Prime Minister visited Japan in March 1990 and Prime Minister Obuchi reciprocated with a visit to Mongolia in July 1999. Japan has provided more than $100 million in grants and loans since 1991 and coordinated international assistance to Mongolia. Japan is Mongolia's largest bilateral aid donor.

Diplomatic relations were established with South Korea in 1991, and during the Mongolian President's visit, seven agreements and treaties were signed, providing the legal basis for further expanding bilateral relations. However, the increasing closeness with South Korea caused problems in North Korea-Mongolia relations, culminating in 1999 when North Korea closed their embassy in Ulan Bator, allegedly in response to the state visit by then South Korean president Kim Dae-jung. In 2001 President Bagabandi made state visits to India and Nepal.

Foreign relations of Mongolia