by: Nino Aclan
ULAANBAATAR: Secretary Enrique A. Manalo undertook an Official Visit to Mongolia on 4-5 August 2024, during which he met with Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, Deputy Prime Minister Sainbuyan Amarsaikhan, and Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh.
Secretary Manalo also met with State Great Khural Committee on Security and Foreign Policy Chairman Temuulen Ganzorig, who is also chair of Philippines-Mongolia Parliamentary Friendship Group.
In these meetings, the Secretary reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with Mongolia and stressed the need for both countries to work together in support of an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order that is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and justice.
“The Philippines and Mongolia share the same values of freedom, democracy, and respect for the rule of law,” Secretary Manalo said. “Our two countries are determined to chart our respective paths as sovereign states with our own strategic agencies, free from external interference.”
Secretary Manalo noted that the Philippines’ independent foreign policy resonates with Mongolia’s Third Neighbor Policy, which seeks to strengthen the country’s foreign relations beyond its immediate neighborhood.
This trip marks the first bilateral Official Visit by a Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs to Mongolia and is part of the year-long commemorative activities marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Mongolia.
In line with this commemoration, Secretary Manalo and Minister Battsetseg convened the 4th Philippines-Mongolia Policy Consultations and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation between the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which commits both sides to bilateral cooperation and coordination on bilateral and international issues of common concern.
The two sides also signed an MOU between the Philippine Sports Commission and the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth on sports cooperation.
Given shared vulnerabilities to natural calamities, the two sides agreed on the need to work together to mitigate and reduce disaster risks. As an expression of solidarity, the Philippines made a donation to assist the Mongolian Government in addressing the impact of natural disasters.
Secretary Manalo also responded positively to Mongolia’s requests for the Philippines to provide assistance in the area of public health, English language training, and regional development policies.
Beyond bilateral relations, the two sides also discussed multilateral cooperation, including on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the role of women in peace and security, the common interest of middle-income countries, and mutual support for multilateral candidatures.
Secretary Manalo stressed the importance of promoting adherence to international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees, among others, the freedom of transit and right of access of landlocked states.
Finally, Secretary Manal also took the opportunity to assure Mongolia that the Philippines will continue to act as a committed partner, pathfinder, and peacemaker if elected to the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027-2028.
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