Third neighbor policy

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ulaanbaatar.

The Third Neighbor Policy is a facet of foreign relations of Mongolia referring to its building relationships with countries other than the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China,[1] two superpowers that historically had a sphere of influence extending to the country. The economy of Mongolia is dependent on exploitation of the country's mineral resources, which include copper, gold, uranium and coal,[1] and thus the country is vulnerable to pressure from foreign countries and corporations involved in resource extraction. Countries that have been characterized as "third neighbors" include the United States, South Korea, France and other developed nations.[2][3]

By establishing strong bilateral ties beyond its immediate neighbors, Mongolia aims to:

  • Expand its partnerships with other countries, reducing economic reliance on China, which is the country's largest trading partner.
  • Strengthen diplomatic ties with democratic nations to reinforce Mongolia's modern democratic values and institutions.
  • Collaborate on defense with strategic "third neighbors" such as the United States and Japan, enhancing Mongolia's security capabilities in the process.[4]

Third neighbors of Mongolia

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Country Relations Legal basis
Japan Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity Joint statement made during President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh's state visit to Japan in November 2022.[5] The talks elevated the bilateral ties from a strategic partnership established in 2010 to a 10-year-long "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity".[6]
India Strategic partnership A joint statement was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Mongolia in May 2015.[7]
United States Strategic partnership In July 2019, a joint declaration of a strategic partnership was signed during President Khaltmaagiin Battulga's state visit to the United States of America.[8][9]
France Strategic partnership After a state visit by President Emmanuel Macron in May 2023,[10] a cooperation agreement was signed by Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkhiin Battsetseg and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in October 2023.[11]
Germany Strategic partnership Joint declaration made during President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visit to Mongolia in February 2024.[12]
South Korea Strategic partnership In September 2025, a declaration was signed during a high-level online summit between President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh and President Moon Jae-in. Bilateral relations between the two countries advanced from a comprehensive partnership, declared in 2011, to a strategic partnership.[13]
Kazakhstan Strategic partnership Joint declaration made during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Mongolia in October 2024.[14]
Turkey Comprehensive partnership Joint declaration was signed by both presidents during President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh's state visit to Turkey in January 2025.[15]
Vietnam Comprehensive partnership Joint statement made during President Tô Lâm's state visit to Mongolia in October 2024.[16]
Uzbekistan Comprehensive partnership A joint declaration was signed during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Mongolia in June 2025.[17]
Kyrgyz Republic Comprehensive partnership Joint declaration was made during President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh's state visit to the Kyrgyz Republic in July 2025.[18]
Canada Expanded partnership Joint statement made during President Natsagiin Bagabandi's 7-day visit to Canada in October 2004.[19]
Australia Expanded partnership According to a statement made by the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer during his 2007 state visit.[20]

United States

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Main article: Mongolia–United States relations

In mid-March 2018, Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga appealed to US President Donald Trump via telegram to more trade relations, saying an economic downturn threatened to destabilize Mongolia, and that although Mongolia is an "oasis of democracy", this "does not contribute to economic development" in a region where authoritarianism (China and Russia) in on the rise.[21][22][23] The United States is one of Mongolia's Third Neighbors, which Battulga said that U.S. trade and investment could help prevent the return of authoritarianism in Mongolia.

Another development occurred in 2023. Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene visited Washington D.C. on the invitation of US Vice President Kamala Harris in August 2023.[24][25][26]

On the November 30th, 2023, the "Mongolia Third Neighbor Trade Act" was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska.[27] The bipartisan act was simultaneously introduced in the House of Representatives by Vern Buchanan of Florida and Dina Titus of Nevada.[28] If approved, Mongolia’s high-quality cashmere and textiles could be exported to the United States duty-free.

France

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Main article: France–Mongolia relations

On May 21, 2023, Emmanuel Macron visited Mongolia, the first ever visit to Mongolia by a French President.[29]

As of 2019, bilateral trade between France and Mongolia remains limited. In 2017, bilateral trade stood at €26.1 million (€21.8 million of exports from France to Mongolia, against €4.3 million of import from Mongolia to France).[30][31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Fogarty, Philippa (10 September 2008). "Why Mongolia wants more neighbours". BBC News.
  2. ^ "Mongolia's "Third Neighbor Policy"". RS Global. January 2021.
  3. ^ "Strategic partners of Mongolia" (PDF). Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. 2022.
  4. ^ "Mongolia FAQ". www.mongoliaweekly.org. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  5. ^ "Japan-Mongolia Summit Meeting". mofa.go.jp. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  6. ^ "Mongolia and Japan Declare "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity"". MONTSAME News Agency. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  7. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.mea.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  8. ^ "MEDIA NOTE: Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between the United States of America and Mongolia". U.S. Embassy in Mongolia. 2019-08-01. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  9. ^ Lkhaajav, Bolor. "US Becomes Mongolia's 5th Strategic Partner". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  10. ^ Хатанзориг, Аминаа (2023-05-22). "MONGOLIA-FRANCE JOINT DECLARATION". President of Mongolia. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  11. ^ "Mongolia and France Agreed to Advance Relations to Strategic Partnership". MONTSAME News Agency. 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  12. ^ "Joint Declaration regarding the Strategic Partnership between Mongolia and the Federal Republic of Germany". German Federal Foreign Office. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  13. ^ "South Korea Becomes Mongolia's 6th Strategic Partner". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  14. ^ "Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between The Republic of Kazakhstan and Mongolia". akorda.kz. 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  15. ^ "Türkiye and Mongolia sign declaration on establishing strategic partnership and 10 agreements". 2025-01-16. Archived from the original on 2025-06-15. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  16. ^ "Joint Statement on establishment of Viet Nam-Mongolia comprehensive partnership". en.baochinhphu.vn. 2024-10-01. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  17. ^ "Mongolia and the Republic of Uzbekistan Elevate the Relations to Comprehensive Partnership". MONTSAME News Agency. 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  18. ^ Batchimeg (2025-07-22). "Mongolia and the Kyrgyz Republic Establish a Comprehensive Partnership". President of Mongolia. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  19. ^ "Joint Statement on an Expanded Partnership Between Canada and Mongolia". www.canada.ca. 2004-10-20. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  20. ^ "Embassy Press Releases". mongolia.embassy.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  21. ^ "Mongolia president appeals to U.S. for trade to protect democracy". Reuters. 13 March 2018 – via mobile.reuters.com.
  22. ^ "Page not found!". Times of Oman. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  23. ^ https://www.euronews.com/2018/03/13/mongolia-president-appeals-to-us-for-trade-to-protect-democracy [dead link]
  24. ^ Lkhaajav, Bolor (2023-10-05). "US making 'third neighbor' moves on Mongolia". Asia Times. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  25. ^ House, The White (2023-08-03). "Joint Statement on the Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership between the United States of America and Mongolia". The White House. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  26. ^ "How Mongolia's Third Neighbor Policy Can Bolster Its Tourism Sector". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  27. ^ Lkhaajav, Bolor. "US-Mongolia 'Third Neighbor Trade Act' On The Way". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  28. ^ "Rep. Titus Announces the Introduction of the Mongolia Third Neighbor Trade Act". Congresswoman Dina Titus. 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  29. ^ "French President Emmanuel Macron Makes a Historic Visit to Mongolia". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  30. ^ étrangères, Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires. "France and Mongolia". France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  31. ^ "What's Driving the France-Mongolia Rapprochement?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2024-05-16.