PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON MONGOLIA IN OSCE

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Within participation of the Mongolian delegation, headed by the FM L.Bold, in the 19th Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Dublin, the Republic of Ireland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia issued a press release. It says Mongolia, a landlocked country located between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, pursues an independent and multi-pillar foreign policy based on respect of universally recognized principles and norms of international law. A priority of Mongolia's foreign policy is to develop balanced and good neighborly relations with its two immediate neighbors. Another priority is its "Third neighbor" policy. These are reflected in the country's Foreign Policy and National Security Concepts that have recently been updated, in which emphasis is placed not only on security of existence, economic and ecological security, but also on internal stability, transnational threats, human and information security. This pragmatic approach to its security prompted Mongolia to become an OSCE Partner for cooperation, and eventually--a participating State. Furthermore, the Astana Commemorative Declaration, which set a goal to advance Eurasian concept of security based on OSCE's three dimensions, has prompted Mongolia to apply for full membership. By officially expressing its willingness to become a participating State. Mongolia has committed to OSCE's noble goals, principles and commitments, where applicable, starting from the Helsinki Final Act and 1990 Paris Charter to build, consolidate and strengthen democracy as the only system of government. For Mongolia OSCE membership is not an end in itself, but rather an important means of promoting its national interests and that of the organization as a whole in accordance with the agreed goals, principle and values. Thus accession to the OSCE as a participating State provides Mongolia with a platform to consolidate its multi-pillar foreign policy and, in particular, to create opportunities to expand cooperation with the participating States on security issues, share information and experiences, and to have regular dialogue with them. Since early 1990s Mongolia has been successfully pursuing simultaneously democratic and economic reforms. It has successfully held 6 parliamentary and local, as well as 5 presidential elections. What Mongolia might offer to the OSCE In the political and military area: Mongolia's policy of institutionalizing its nuclear-weapon-free status and promoting good-neighborly and balanced relationship with Russia and China serve as important factors in strengthening security and stability in the Eurasian region. Hence, it can contribute to updating the 1994 OSCE principles governing non-proliferation or to exploring ways of fuller implementation of UNSC resolution 1540. Mongolia can participate and contribute to the discussion of the concept of Eurasian security. In the economic and ecological field: As a land-locked developing country, it would be prepared to share its experience in addressing the challenges connected with the lack of access to open seas and thus to world markets. The newly established international think tank in Ulaanbaatar in addressing the issues of this group of countries could serve as a basis for devising effective policies in support of these countries. On a larger scale, Mongolia has already expressed its readiness to work for making its territory an alternative land-route linking Europe and East Asia. In the humanitarian area: Mongolia attaches great importance to the work carried out by the OSCE in this area. It is eager to learn from as well as to share its experience in establishing and consolidating democratic institutions, including supporting the civil society and the freedom of the press. In 2011-2013 Mongolia is chairing the Community of Democracies. It is focusing in particular on issues of promoting democracy education, strengthening regional cooperation, greater support of civil society and sharing of experiences. A UNGA resolution on democracy education, which was initiated by Mongolia, has been adopted by the General Assembly last month. It is prepared to work with the OSCE and its relevant institutions in this area. Mongolia strongly believes that security can be ensured if and when addressed in all its dimensions. The cross-dimensional approach to security, reflected in OSCE's concept of comprehensive security, fully echoes Mongolia's approach to its own, to regional and international security. B.Khuder