MANILA – The Philippines and Mongolia vowed to strengthen bilateral relations by agreeing to cooperate in sports, tourism, education and employment.
This was confirmed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo, during a joint press conference with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg.
Manalo is visiting Mongolia from August 4 to 5, 2024, at the invitation of Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, according to the DFA.
The visit is also “part of the activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Mongolia”, a statement from the DFA read.
During the visit, the two Foreign Ministers signed the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines”, during the convening of the 4th Philippines-Mongolia Policy Consultations, which is a “commitment on both sides to cooperate and coordinate on bilateral and international issues of common concern.”
(Photo courtesy of Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg X account / @BattsetsegBatm2)
Manalo and Battsetseg also signed a “Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia and the Sports Commission of the Republic of the Philippines on cooperation in the field of sports.”
Both officials also discussed multilateral cooperation on “nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the role of women in peace and security, disaster risk reduction, the common interest of middle-income countries, and mutual support for multilateral candidatures.”
Battsetseg added that both sides “agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of education, culture, agriculture, health, information technology, labour and social security, and exchanged drafts of bilateral documents on cooperation in the fields of education and labour.”
“We also discussed the possible establishment of a legal basis for cooperation in social welfare and employment, including collaboration in social care and services, and the possible facilitation of a labour force from the Philippines in education, tourism, hospitality, and other service sectors,” Battsetseg added.
In line with strengthening people-to-people exchanges and expanding cooperation in tourism, the Philippines and Mongolia agreed to cooperate on “further improving the favourable conditions of visa-free travel for our citizens,” Battsetseg mentioned.
Grateful to learn about Mongolian culture & traditions from no less than the Foreign Minister, H.E. @BattsetsegBatm2. A fitting prelude to our official meetings, where we will aim to bolster the friendly and warm bilateral ties between the Philippines and Mongolia. pic.twitter.com/tbDyeREQqM
— Enrique A. Manalo 🇵🇭 (@SecManalo) August 4, 2024
During the meeting, it was also announced that the Philippine Government has earmarked USD 50,000 (approximately PHP2.8 million) as aid for Mongolia for its disaster risk reduction.
“The Philippines and Mongolia are both vulnerable to natural calamities, and must work together to mitigate and reduce disaster risks. As an expression of solidarity, the Philippines has donated a modest amount to assist the Government of Mongolia in addressing the impact of natural disasters,” Manalo said.
Meanwhile, Manalo stressed the importance of affirming international law and the rules-based international order.
“The Philippines has a strong interest in affirming, in particular, the 1982 UNCLOS, which guarantees, among others, the freedom of transit and right of access of landlocked states,” Manalo said.
“The Philippines and Mongolia share the same values of freedom, democracy, and respect for the rule of law. Our two countries are determined to chart our respective paths as sovereign states with our own strategic agencies, free from external interference,” Manalo stated.
Manalo also highlighted the Philippines’ candidature for the United Nations Security Council in 2027 to 2028, with the aim of becoming a member, and to participate in the Council in “an open, inclusive, and constructive manner.”
