Mongolian President’s visit is a milestone in bilateral ties: President Vo Van Thuong and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in London, May 2023. (Source: nhandan.vn)

In the interview with the World & Vietnam Report, ahead of the state visit from November 1-5, Ambassador Tam reviewed a number of important milestones in the traditional friendly relationship between the two countries.

The Ambassador recalled the first visit to Mongolia by late President Ho Chi Minh in July 1955 after the establishment of the diplomatic ties on November 17, 1954, and the visit to Vietnam by First Secretary of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) Central Committee and Chairman of the Council of Ministers Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal in September 1959, saying they set a foundation for the friendship between the two peoples.

The two countries have maintained the exchange of visits and contacts between their high-ranking leaders, significantly contributing to consolidating and enhancing their mutual political trust and understanding, he said.

At their recent meetings, Vietnamese and Mongolian leaders noted their wish to strengthen the bilateral relationship across spheres, for the sake of their peoples, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large, the diplomat continued.

Ambassador Tam held that the time-honoured relationship, mutual support, attention of the two countries’ leaders, rich natural resources and improved production capacity have created a firm foundation and momentum for the cooperation in all spheres, from economy and trade to science-technology, education, culture, sports and tourism.

Besides, localities of the two countries have also set up ties like Hanoi - Ulaanbaatar, Ho Chi Minh City – Ulaanbaatar, Hoa Binh – Tuv, and Dak Lak – Orkhon, he added.

Mongolian President’s state visit is an important milestone in bilateral ties: Vietnamese Ambassador to Mongolia Doan Khanh Tam at the interview with the World and Vietnam Report. (Photo: WVR)

Stressing the importance of President Khurelsukh’s visit, Ambassador Tam said it will be the 4th state visit to Vietnam by a Mongolian President since the one by then President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj in November 2013.

High-level cooperation agreements to be signed during the trip will create an important legal basis for the two countries to remove obstacles, and promote collaboration in the fields where both have strengths such as agriculture, mining and tourism, and contribute to balancing the two-way trade, the diplomat said.

He suggested the two countries expand cooperation in mining, green growth, climate change response, and air pollution reduction, saying Vietnam should import animal products from Mongolia.

Vietnam has signed about 20 free trade agreements (FTAs), he said, noting that through Vietnam, Mongolian businesses can access the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other markets.

Trade between the two countries doubled to 85 million USD in 2022 from only 41.4 million USD in 2017, and the value stood at about 75 million USD in the first eight months of this year.

The Ambassador emphasised that the two countries boast substantial potential and advantages to promote cooperation in agriculture, tourism, education - training, science, information technology, digital transformation, digital economy, and energy, and expressed his firm belief that the relationship will grow further in the time ahead.

Mongolian President’s state visit is an important milestone in bilateral ties: Ambassador Doan Khanh Tam (left) and Teacher Gungaajav, Principal of Mongolia's most prestigious school named after President Ho Chi Minh in Ulaanbaatar Capital on the opening ceremony of the new school year 2023-2024. (Photo: Doan Khanh Tam)

Regarding President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh's affirmation that Vietnam occupies a very important position in Mongolia's foreign policy in Southeast Asia, Ambassador Tam noted since the early 1990s, Mongolia has put forward foreign policy ideas with the motto "non-alignment, equal distance, comprehensive".

Under the guidance of this main foreign policy motto, in addition to prioritizing the development of relations with Russia and China, Mongolia also actively develops relations with "third neighbor" countries such as the US and Japan, India, etc. At the same time, a "third neighbor" foreign policy is gradually formed.

Accordingly, Mongolia always strives to develop cooperative relations not only with the two bordering countries but also promotes the development of relations with countries that have important influence as well as two natural neighbors, to all aspects of Mongolian life.

With such a vision and policy, Mongolia highly appreciates the role and rising position of Vietnam. In meetings with Vietnamese leaders, Mongolian leaders always affirm that Vietnam is the main and most important partner in Mongolia's foreign policy in the Southeast Asia region, considering Vietnam as an important gateway for Mongolia to penetrate the ASEAN market of 700 million people.

With such vision and determination, Mongolia aims to upgrade relations and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, a very important "third neighbor" in Southeast Asia and more broadly will be one of the most important priorities in Mongolia's foreign policy today.