On December 23, Minister of Foreign Affairs B. Battsetseg had an online meeting with her Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi to discuss relations and cooperation-related issues between the countries.

Noting the significance of Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene’s visit to Japan in July this year, the Foreign Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the announcement of 2022 as the ‘Mongolia-Japan Year of Friendship and Exchange of Children and Youth’ on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. As part of the celebration, the parties agreed to work actively to organize high-level visits, support youth exchanges, strengthen public-private partnerships and fortify people-to-people ties.

Noting that the strategic partnership between Mongolia and Japan is expanding year by year, the Ministries emphasized that the countries are cooperating closely even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister B.Battsetseg thanked the Government of Japan for its extensive support in reducing the risk of a pandemic in Mongolia by providing soft loans, strengthening the health care system, supplying the necessary equipment, donating vaccines and establishing cold chain system.

The two sides highlighted that bilateral relations have steadily developed for 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, especially with intensive development from 1990s which led to present strategic partnership level, and discussed the future of 50 years of cooperation. Minister B.Battsetseg said that Mongolia's future development requires the establishment of a multi-pillar economic structure, increased exports, improved infrastructure, energy and logistics, for which it necessitates to attract new technology and investment from Japan and increase of bilateral trade. She stressed the importance of clearly outlining the directions of post-pandemic economic relations and cooperation in the new Mid-term Program for 2022-2025, which is planned to be approved next year by both countries.

They reaffirmed that the parties are for deepening our cooperation within the UN and international organizations.