First historic visit of the Mongolian president in the Czech Republic

29.01.2015 / 09:56 | Aktualizováno: 10.02.2015 / 06:01

(This article expired 01.01.2020 / 01:00.)

Upon the invitation of Czech President M. Zeman, Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj paid a state visit to the Czech Republic on from 18 to 20 January 2015. He hold face-to-face meeting with President M. Zeman and also received chairman of the Senate M. Štech, Prime Minister B. Sobotka and chairman of the Chamber of Deputies J. Hamáček. He gave the Mongolian state awards to four representatives who support Czech-Mongolian relations for long period and talked with Mongolians living in the country. He met with the Rector of Charles University and students of the center of Mongolian studies at its Philosophical Faculty. At the end of the visit, along with the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic J. Mládek, in the building of Economic Chamber of the Czech Republic, Czech-Mongolian business forum began that attended by several dozen companies from both sides. This visit symbolically kicked off the celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and was confirmation of long-lasting friendship and cooperation, and other major occasions.

The President Ts. Elbegdorj arrived in the Czech Republic on reciprocal basis upon visit of the Czech President Vaclav Klaus to Mongolia in 2006. This was the first time since the establishment of the Mongolian presidency in the Czech Republic. He was given a warm welcome by all the highest officials of the state, which was an expression of the long tradition of friendship, cooperation and assistance, but also respect for the development of Mongolian democracy, as well as, optimistic expectations for further economic cooperation and close political relationships. The delegation of the President included also the Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs L. Purevsuren, Mongolian Minister of Population Development and Social Protection S. Erdene, Mongolian Deputy Minister of Defense Mongolia A. Battur, and Deputy Minister of Construction and Urban Development G. Baigalmaa which co-chaired the Czech-Mongolian Joint Economic Committee. On the issues of cooperation in the social sector, Minister S. Erdene had separate bilateral meeting with the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs M. Marksová-Tominová and Deputy Minister G. Baigalmaa discussed the upcoming event of 6^th Joint Committee Meeting (scheduled autumn this year in Mongolia) with co-chair Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade V. Bartl.

Apart from representatives of the Mongolian government and the media arrived in Prague, there were also about 40 representatives of Mongolian companies, those attended to the Czech-Mongolian Business Forum organized jointly by the Invest Mongolia Agency and the Czech Chamber of Commerce. Their counterparts were about 70 Czech companies. There was a ceremonial signing of the MoU on joint production of motorcycles between the Mongolian Taij Group and traditional Czech manufacturer Jawa Motorcycles where many other direct business contacts were made.

The arrival of the delegation by national carrier MIAT by flight from Ulaanbaatar to Berlin and from there arrival to Prague by train unexpectedly attracted an attention of large Czech media - though by the way of supporting its national airlines and reducing environmental impact, traveling by train is relatively small in Europe so that it was written in the history and a speculation has arisen about which other statesman has arrived by train in the last 30 years.... During a press conference at the Castle after talks between presidential delegations, more in-depth inquiries by numerous representatives of the Mongolian media were directed to issues such as Czech experience with providing incentives for foreign investors and attracting foreign tourists.

The atmosphere of the all meetings was cordial and friendly. Between two countries there are no disputes. Both are very close and remained close even at a difficult time of transition for both countries went through quite peaceful democratic "revolutions" a quarter century ago. President Ts. Elbegdorj on several occasions praised the Czech Republic in past decade for providing to Mongolia the funds for development cooperation and President M. Zeman stressed that keeping the Czech Embassy in Ulaanbaatar is an expression of respect for the democratic development of Mongolia and faith in the prospects of its further development and mutual cooperation. Invest Mongolia Agency has posted information that in recent years more than 80 companies with Czech capital or equity participation has been working in Mongolia, the President M. Zeman gave to his counterpart the list of 40 companies developing co-operation in Mongolia currently or have already actively been thriving. It was repeatedly said that future trade and economic cooperation can not only build on the traditions e.g. Czech experts are working in geology or hydrogeology sector in Mongolia, but it should also make use of the experience and the foundations that were laid during existing development projects. The President M. Zeman stressed that today's Mongolia may, in building its economy, employ for example also Czech experience with cleaning and protection of water or soil, technologies for the manufacturing industry, but also our expertise in the field of infrastructure, especially rail transport, Czech truck and passenger car and aviation, as well as, experience in uranium mining. Mongolian partners underlined their interests in Czech investments, as well as, European standards. Those Czech products, technologies and expertize bring sustainable development and competitiveness to the Mongolian economy and much needed areas of education. The Czech Republic is very interesting for its experience in the field of tourism and social and health reforms, to share with Mongolia. Accordingly, the Mongolian side expressed its strong interest in further increasing options for receiving Mongolian students in Czech schools. Not only between two presidents but e.g. even at dinner with the President of the Chamber of Deputies parties then talked about the possibilities of what is offered for cooperation in the field of defense and international security (for example, in line with peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, international organizations like the UN, NATO or OSCE etc.). For us, Mongolia is value-mate, yet geographically different and therefore it brings very valuable perspective. Czech side informed of successful advancing the process of ratification of the Agreement of Mutual Cooperation and Partnership between EU-Mongolia in its national parliament, both sides agree on a joint effort to bring to the swiftest possible end to talks about cooperation on readmission, which concerns only the return of persons judicially expelled who are unwilling or unable to leave voluntarily (it is assumed that each year number of such cases amounted to no more than two dozen). This would also accelerate signing of already negotiated agreements on social security, obviously important for all Mongolians who have legally worked in the Czech Republic and will work in the future. During the President Ts. Elbegdorj’s meeting with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic B. Sobotka, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs M. Tlapa said also good news that Czech Embassy in Ulaanbaatar soon will expand its visa section, which will not only strengthen the capacity for providing service for existing applicants, but gradually also expand the scope of further, yet unrepresented, countries of the Schengen area. By this CR will also contribute to further deepen the mutual contacts and exchanges between citizens of Mongolia and Europe.

Czech President M. Zeman accepted an invitation to visit Mongolia and said that after clarifying anticipated date via diplomatic channels he intends to arrive with a large trade and business delegates. The President Ts. Elbegdorj recalled that Mongolia will host the 5^th Ministerial Meeting of the Freedom Online Coalition in summer 2015, to which Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs has already been invited. In coming July, Mongolia is going to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of its first free democratic elections - and looks forward to the important guests to their celebrations from the Czech Republic. For the summer of 2016, Mongolia will host Annual Summit of Heads of State and Governments of ASEM ("Asia-Europe Meeting") where Czech authorities confirmed that not only they will allow significant participation but also provide continual support for cooperation and assistance of the European Union to Mongolia in preparing for this important event.

Recognizing high achievement of the interparliamentary relations which further confirmed by the highest award of the Mongolian Presidential award for foreigners - the order of the Polar Star was awarded to longtime president of the Czech-Mongolian friendship group of the Chamber of Deputies Z. Bejbarová-Rujbrová where Friendship medal was bestowed to Mr. P. Kynštetr Chancellor Chamber of Deputies. The other two Friendship medals were awarded a long-standing chairman of the Czech-Mongolian Joint Economic Committee and former Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade M. Hovorka and a researcher and interpreter in the field of Mongolian studies V. Kapišovská.

The President Ts. Elbegdorj did not forget to thank for significant contribution of the Czech Republic, specifically Prague Zoo and the Government, to relocate nearly extinct breed Przewalski’s horses back to Mongolia. Finally, he praised beauty of Czech cultural monuments and taste of Czech beer.

The President Ts. Elbegdorj’s met with Mongolians living in the Czech Republic and also with the Rector of Charles University T. Zima, as well as, teachers and nearly thirty students and graduates from Mongolia at the Philosophical Faculty of the university on 20^th January. The Mongolian President gave books and technical contribution for further activity of one of the most active Mongol studies center in Europe, located in building of Prague Carolina which was educating students back at the time when there was a Mongolian Yuan Dynasty in Chinese and Mongolian throne. He expressed his appreciation over the interest of a mission which fulfills Mongol Studies for mediating Mongolian language and values, and answered questions in Mongolian from students and professors. Questions were mostly concerned the future of Mongolian society, its traditions and living conditions and prospects of Mongolian friends whose lives are visibly close to Czechs and known to them sincerely at heart.

Links to more information about the visit of the President of the Czech Republic:

http://mongolia.gogo.mn/r/143937

http://mongolia.gogo.mn/r/143976

http://mn2.mn/i/43949

http://english.news.mn/content/201648.shtml

http://mobile.news.mn/mcontent/121130.shtml?s=english

http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=13123

http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=13166

http://www.infomongolia.com/ct/ci/8864

http://www.infomongolia.com/ct/ci/6134

http://www.infomongolia.com/ct/ci/8859

http://www.infomongolia.com/ct/ci/8810