Japan-Mongolia Summit Meeting…

December 13, 2018 in Japan.On December 13, commencing at around 5:50 p.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, Prime Minister of Mongolia, during Prime Minister Khurelsukh’s official working visit to Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows. In addition, following the summit meeting the signing of the “Memorandum of Cooperation Between the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia on Environmental Cooperation” took place in the presence of the two leaders, and a Japan-Mongolia joint statement and fact sheet for the “Japan-Mongolia Mid-term Action Plan for a Strategic Partnership” were also issued. Following that the two leaders held a joint press announcement, and subsequently, a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Abe took place, and the conversation touched on a broad range of topics relating to the bilateral relationship.

1. Prime Minister Abe welcomed Prime Minister Khurelsukh’s first visit to Japan as Prime Minister, along with explaining that Japan has consistently placed importance on its relationship with Mongolia as an important strategic partner which shares universal values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Prime Minister Abe stated that he intends to work together hand in hand with Prime Minister Khurelsukh in order to realize regional peace and stability. In response, Prime Minister Khurelsukh explained that the support Japan extended following Mongolia’s democratization at the beginning of the 1990s formed the base for Mongolia’s development today, and he once again expressed his gratitude.

2. Prime Minister Abe stated that the relationship has been growing stronger in a broad range of fields, building on the “Mid-term Action Plan” of March last year, and he intends to continue to deepen the relationship in accordance with that plan. In addition, Prime Minister Abe mentioned the success of the 9th Japan-Mongolia Government and Business Sector Joint Committee, and stated that he hopes to cooperate on strengthening the economic and business relationship through initiating such as the steady implementation of the Japan-Mongolia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Prime Minister Abe also expressed expectation that under Prime Minister Khurelsukh’s leadership the negotiations on the concession agreement for the New Ulaanbaatar International Airport will be concluded early and the airport will open for use promptly. In response, Prime Minister Khurelsukh mentioned the Mongolian-side’s initiatives for strengthening economic relations, and expressed his determination to open the new airport promptly. The two leaders shared the view that they will promote cooperation on further strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries.

3. Prime Minister Abe explained his initiatives for realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Khurelsukh expressed his approval, and the two leaders shared the view that they will cooperate to realize the free and open Indo-Pacific. In addition, Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan is supporting Mongolia’s accession to the East Asia Summit (EAS).

4. The two leaders shared the view that the full implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions by all members of the UN will be important for realizing the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges by North Korea. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe emphasized the importance of resolving the abductions issue. Prime Minister Khurelsukh expressed support for Japan’s position on resolving the abductions issue, and the two leaders shared the view that they will continue to cooperate closely towards the early resolution of the issue.