SO WHY ULAANBAATAR

The answer to the question about where the President of the USA and the Leader of DPRK would meet remains indefinite. So why can’t this meeting be held in the capital city of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar? This was the first thought that entered my mind when I became aware of this in the world news.

One: Mongolia has diplomatic and friendly relations with both the United States and the DPRK. Mongolia is the second country to establish diplomatic relations with the DPRK. 2018 marks the 70^th anniversary of the diplomatic and friendly relations established in 1948. 2017 was the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the USA. Mongolia has embassies in capital cities of both countries and they in turn both have embassies in Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar has diplomatic and other infrastructures as well as the full capability to host a high-level diplomatic meeting.

Two: Mongolia is a country with a peace loving and open foreign policy. The Asia-Europe Meeting - ASEM Summit 2016 Summit was hosted in Ulaanbaatar in July of 2016 with great success. Mongolia has organized numerous meetings, talks and conferences on the security of the Korean peninsula. Furthermore, the initiative set forth by Mongolia, “Ulaanbaatar dialogue on Northeast Asia’s Security” became a widely recognized and important mechanism for regional peace and security process.

Three: An important point to note for hosting the aforementioned meeting in Ulaanbaatar is that Mongolia would be a neutral third party. Mongolia is a country with a neutral policy. This policy rendered Mongolia to be called  the “Switzerland of Asia”. World and regional peace is Mongolia’s utmostly important mission. “Nuclear-weapon-free" status of Mongolia was officially recognized by the UN and its Security Council. This undertaking of Mongolia is welcomed by regional and international players as "exemplary".

Four: The location of Mongolia is best suited for the Summit. For Mongolia has a friendly relationship with each country participating in the Six Party Talks on Korean Peninsula Issue. Russia and China are our neighboring countries. Mongolia is one of the few countries with diplomatic and traditional relations with both the DPRK and the Republic of Korea. Furthermore, Mongolia has continued to develop relations with the United States and Japan at a strategic level. Mongolia is fully capable to receive guests and delegates from any of these countries in Ulaanbaatar. The first Leader of the DPRK, Kim Il-sung visited Ulaanbaatar twice, while President George W. Bush paid a state visit to Mongolia in 2005.

Five: Mongolian people are friendly and hospitable. Mongolians have left an indelible print in the history of the collective human family with our achievements in state building, diplomacy, postal express network – horse relay stations, free trade, religion and intellectual freedom, culture and traditions. Modern Mongolia is an open, peace-loving and free country. Mongolia enjoys friendship globally, stability locally, and is, indeed, a peaceful and safe land. Mongolia has always had its doors open wide for talks and engagement for resolving the issues of concern for the international community, including the security of the Korean peninsula. And we will always remain open. Therefore, welcome!

Mongolyn Tsakhiagiin ELBEGDORJ
  President of Mongolia (2009-2017)