Metro Manila, Philippines— The Philippines and Mongolia have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations in several key areas, including adherence to the rule of law, disaster mitigation, and sports cooperation.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo visited Mongolia on Aug. 4-5 to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During his visit, Manalo met with Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, Deputy Prime Minister Sainbuyan Amarsaikhan, and Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh.
Discussions focused on maintaining an “open, inclusive, and rules-based international order governed by international law.”
Manalo highlighted the shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for the rule of law between the Philippines and Mongolia.
He also emphasized the importance of each country charting its own path as sovereign states, free from external interference, according to a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The Philippines’ independent foreign policy aligns with Mongolia’s Third Neighbor Policy, which aims to expand the country’s foreign relations beyond its immediate neighbors.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Philippine Sports Commission and the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth to enhance sports cooperation.
The two countries also agreed to collaborate on disaster risk mitigation, with the Philippines committing to assist Mongolia in addressing the impact of natural disasters.
Additional areas of cooperation include public health, English language training, and regional development policies.
The discussions also covered multilateral cooperation on issues such as nuclear disarmament, the role of women in peace and security, and mutual support for multilateral candidatures.
Manalo urged Mongolia to support international law adherence, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which ensures the freedom of transit and access for landlocked states.
The Philippines also sought Mongolia’s support for its bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027-2028.
