Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ EU-Mongolia relations are entering a new phase with the opening of a Delegation of the European Union (the equivalent of an embassy for the EU) in Ulaanbaatar, and the entry into force of the EU-Mongolia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, said a press release issued by the EU on October 27.

Against this backdrop, the EU Ambassador to Mongolia Hans Dietmar Schweisgut will lead a group of more than twenty ambassadors and senior European diplomats from EU Member States to Mongolia to meet with the country's political leaders as well as representatives of civil society.

"This visit takes place at a timely moment: a new Government is in place, we open an EU Delegation, and the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement enters into force. I am looking forward to discuss with the new leadership of Mongolia how to take our relations to a new level. Now all conditions are in place to step up our political dialogue and cooperation, and to further strengthen our partnership.The EU and Mongolia share many common values: respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law are the foundation of our relationship," Ambassador Schweisgut said.

The EU Ambassador, together with over 20 ambassadors and senior diplomats from EU Member States come to Ulaanbaatar for their annual meeting with the Mongolian leadership. The objective of these meetings is to take stock of relations between the EU and Mongolia, and to discuss how to strengthen, promote and extend the scope of cooperation between the parties. The visit will also offer an early opportunity to discuss how the EU and its Member States, together with Mongolia, start implementing the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. We have already made some progress with the first EU-Mongolia Human Rights Dialogue held in March this year. The EU is also looking into possibilities to enhance trade relations, and will discuss Mongolian ideas on how best to assist Mongolia's businesses to better use the EU's GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences – an EU policy allowing developing countries to pay fewer or no duties on exports to the EU, giving them vital access to the EU market and contributing to their growth). The EU provides development assistance to support Mongolia's authorities in implementing structural economic reforms.

On 1 November 2017, the EU-Mongolia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) will enter into force. It provides the EU and its Member States on the one hand and Mongolia on the other with a general framework for expanding their bilateral relations. Its implementation will strengthen political, economic and sectoral cooperation across a wide range of policy fields. It is an expression of our mutual commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation.

The EU Ambassador will also sign the Establishment Agreement that will allow the European Union to open its Delegation in Ulaanbaatar. The Delegation will strengthen the EU's relationship with Mongolia, and is a sign of the EU's long-term commitment to the people of the country.

Published Date:2017-10-30