Manalo visit to Mongolia enhances ‘third neighbor’ ties

MANILA: Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to enhance bilateral relations with Mongolia, emphasizing the need for both countries to support an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order. Manalo met with Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, Deputy Prime Minister Sainbuyan Amarsaikhan, Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, and State Great Khural Committee on Security and Foreign Policy Chairman Temuulen Ganzorig in his official visit to Mongolia on Aug. 4 to 5. 'The Philippines and Mongolia share the same values of freedom, democracy, and respect for the rule of law,' Manalo said. 'Our two countries are determined to chart our respective paths as sovereign states with our own strategic agencies, free from external interference.' He said the Philippines' independent foreign policy resonates with Mongolia's Third Neighbor Policy, which seeks to strengthen the country's foreign relations beyond its immediate neighborhood. In line with the 50th an niversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Manalo and Battsetseg convened the 4th Philippines-Mongolia Policy Consultations and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It commits both sides to bilateral cooperation and coordination on bilateral and international issues of common concern. An MOU between the Philippine Sports Commission and the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth on sports cooperation was also signed. Both countries agreed to work in mitigating and reducing disaster risks, and discussed multilateral cooperation, including on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the role of women in peace and security, the common interest of middle-income countries, and mutual support for multilateral candidatures. Mongolia also requested for assistance in the area of public health, English language training, and regional development p olicies. Manalo stressed the importance of promoting adherence to international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees, the freedom of transit and right of access of landlocked states. He assured Mongolia that the Philippines would continue be a committed partner, pathfinder, and peacemaker if elected to the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028. Source: Philippines News Agency