By G.Ganbolda free-lance

A month of June is indeed the ideal time to visit Ulaanbaatar and enjoy its long summer days in case one needs a little more dose ofvitamine D. However, this time scholars from  the North East Asia countries flocking to  this vibrant city on way more important mission rather than soothingly relaxing sunbath. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MFA) of Mongolia together with the Institute for Strategic Studies (ISS) once again co-hosted the Second International Conference on Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on North East Asian Security on 25th to 26th June, 2015. Individual researcher and institutionsfrom the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic  of China, the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the United States of America, Japan, India, Mongolia and civil society organizations such as the Global Partners for Prevention against Armed Conflicts, Blue Banner were represented apart from the Mongolian Parliament and MFA officials. They had actively brainstorms on a wide range ofregionalsecurity issues with an international implication for two days. They expressed a lot conflicting but thought provoking views but unanimously reached on a core conclusion that with the current drastic changes in global political and economic scenario the epicenter of trade and economic activities are appeared to be shifting gradually but steadily from  the western hemisphere to the North East Asia(NEA). 

The NEA where  the major energy exporter- Russia, the biggest market and soon to be biggest economy – China, leading technology  runner-Japan, foremost ICT- user  South Korea and mine booming land of a vibrant growth- Mongolia situated could become an engine of global prosperity in the 21st century.Blending their vast natural endowment, technologic and economic capacity as well as endeavor of North Korea which is in search for way out for development are equally being watched closely by the international community.

One of a new but interesting tendency appeared in the NEA today is fastest growing appetite for enlarging markets and joining into regional if not global logistical and transportationnetworks. Efforts by  the Mongolian government to utilize its major mineral deposits, attempts by other regional stakeholders to enter into bilateral, multilateral free- trade- agreements, opening new  special economic zones and multiple mega transnational  energy and transportation projects canvassing vast areas are if not anything but a vivid indication of this promising tendency.

Mongolia is attaching an importance to regional economic integration by encouraging foreign direct investment, entering into multilateral cooperation in particular joining in regional energy, logistics and infrastructure chains in a bid to reduce its manufacturing cost and increase competitiveness.  In one way, landlocked developing country -Mongolia is interested to get access to the sea through the NEA regional infrastructure via its two immediate neighbors by gaining favorable transit transport for passengers and freights.

Following the first Conference on Ulaanbaatar Dialogue held in the previous year the Government of Mongolia have accomplished a tangible achievements.  The heads of its two immediate neighbors paid the visits to Mongolia in August and September, 2014 respectively and they had the first ever three partite summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in which had importance not only in their relations but also in multilateral cooperation in NEA. This tri-partite partnership has enlarged the positive perspective for regional economic integration with their third parties by creating favorable impacts on trade and investment environment with their third parties.

Mr.Ts. Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia and Mr.Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan have reached in principal agreement  for concluding Economic Partnership Agreement in July,2014 which followed by ratification by Parliaments of the two countries. No doubt it  wouldunleash free trade between Mongolia and Japan and encourage flow of Japanese modern technology and machineries into Mongolia.

Furtherover, Mr. Yun Byung-se Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister of ROK paid an official visit to Mongolia in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and ROK in August, 2014nand agreed to boost their relations and cooperation in particular in the field of trade, economy, investment and the South Korean companiesinvolvement in infrastructural development in Mongolia.

Delegation led by   Mr.KangSokJu, Member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Central Committee of the Workers Party as well as Mr. RySoo En, Foreign Minister of the DPRK have  paid the visit to Mongolia during which  the  concerned  parties discussed  the issues of regional security and economic cooperation and have reached into  agreement.

Since Mongolia enjoys an excellent political ties with countries in this region and has no disputes with each one of them and could be free from any  controversy to make  its contribution towards further strengthening peace and stability in therethe initiative for Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on the NEA Security  has been received by them warmly.

In the course of past one year within the framework of Ulaanbaatar Dialogue initiative the women parliamentarians of the countries, cities mayors in NEA have gathered in Mongolia apart from the regional high level meeting on Energy Connectivity and NEA Youth Forum successfully held in Ulaanbaatar recently. These events are helpful in building up confidence, mutual understanding andgive us a leverage to focus next rounds of such meeting to be continued to specific theme such traditional and non-traditional security risks, energy, and infrastructure and environmental issues as well. Scholars have also expressed their respective views on these topics extensively during the Second International Conference and have agreed to continue meeting next year to order to support the on-going endeavor of all the parties concerned.

Mongolia proverb says Discussion by all the stakeholders will ensure to be free from an omission and washing bya lukewarm water makes our hands free from dirt.The next round of this Conference to be held in 2016 is appeared to be a longawaitbut with a lot of a good optimism.