Joint Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen J. Harper, and the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Sukhbaataryn Batbold

September 28, 2010

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold held bilateral discussions today. The two Prime Ministers praised the strong Canada-Mongolia relationship and committed to deepening political and economic ties between the two countries.

The two Prime Ministers agreed that the visit by Prime Minister Batbold underscored the dynamism and growing importance of the Canada-Mongolia expanded partnership. Prime Minister Batbold expressed great satisfaction with growing bilateral engagement and highlighted the importance of Canada as a model for the development of Mongolia. Prime Minister Harper welcomed Mongolia’s interest in the Canadian model, and its commitment to democratic values and institutions and to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
 
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their desire to actively promote and expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation. In this regard, the two Prime Ministers agreed to move forward the process aimed at successful conclusion of the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) negotiations between the two countries on an expedited basis.  Both sides agreed that the next round of negotiations would be held before the end of the year, and that ratification of a bilateral FIPA would lead to the start of a process pertaining to negotiations towards a bilateral free trade agreement.  In reaffirming their desire for expanded bilateral trade and investment cooperation, Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Batbold expressed their desire to see outstanding commercial disputes resolved in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
 
Canada welcomed Mongolia’s commitment to accede to the Ottawa Treaty on anti-personnel landmines as a contribution to the Treaty’s objective of a mine-free world.  The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with ongoing bilateral military training cooperation which contributes to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere around the globe.
 
Canada and Mongolia also agreed to three Memoranda of Understanding designed to strengthen development and trade cooperation. These are:

• A Memorandum of Understanding between the Public Service Commission of Canada and the Civil Service Council of Mongolia to share experiences and information on public service reforms. The Public Service Commission of Canada is nearing completion of a comparative study that will be helpful in identifying possible future areas of cooperation in strengthening Mongolia’s institutions of public administration.
• A Memorandum of Understanding between the Standards Council of Canada and the Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology to exchange information and best practices regarding standardization activities.
• A Memorandum of Understanding between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Mongolian Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry to promote cooperation in agriculture that will facilitate information, technology, and commercial exchanges.

Canada and Mongolia regard the signing of these memoranda of understanding as a reflection of their desire to continue expanding the range of cooperation between their countries, based on shared interests, a commitment to the well-being and prosperity of their citizens and common democratic values. Both sides look forward to the 5th biennial Canada-Mongolia consultative round-table, to be held in Canada in 2011, as an important next step in continuing and broadening dialogue on the Canadian development model, and in building a stronger and deeper bilateral relationship.