Mongolian Cashmere and Belarusian Milk. Mongolian Ambassador Talks About Exchange of Goods and Relations with Belarus

Batsukh Bayarsaikhan Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Belarus Mongolia intends to develop closer cooperation with Belarus. The importance of this was noted by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Belarus Batsukh Bayarsaikhan in an interview with BELTA. The diplomat spoke about the details of the interaction between the two countries. In his opinion, 2024 was a turning point in the development of Belarusian-Mongolian ties - President of Belarus ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO made his first state visit to Mongolia in June. In addition, the HEAD of the Belarusian state invited his Mongolian counterpart to visit our country on a return visit.

- Mr. Ambassador, in your opinion, what was 2024 like for the development of cooperation between Belarus and Mongolia?

- The year was associated with a historic event - the first visit of the head of the Belarusian state to Ulaanbaatar in the history of bilateral relations. From 1 to 4 June 2024, the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko paid a state visit to Mongolia. During the talks with the President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in narrow and expanded formats, the entire spectrum of bilateral relations was considered. At the same time, much attention was paid to promising projects in the fields of agriculture, industry and trade. Our leaders, as friends, discussed all mutually important topics and agreed to intensify Belarusian-Mongolian cooperation.

The talks of the Belarusian leader with the Chairman of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia Gombojavyn Zandanshatar were also important.
I would like to draw attention to the fact that the Belarusian delegation included members of the government, heads of enterprises and business circles, who held fruitful meetings with their Mongolian colleagues. A detailed consideration of the prospects for cooperation took place during the Mongolia-Belarus Business Forum. The Belarusian delegation also got acquainted with the history and traditions of Mongolia. Certainly, this visit served as an impetus for the interaction between Mongolia and Belarus to become more active.



In general, the ties and cooperation between Mongolia and Belarus are actively strengthening, the frequency of mutual visits, meetings and events at the highest and high levels is increasing. In addition, on the occasion of national holidays, anniversaries and parliamentary elections in both countries, congratulatory letters were regularly exchanged at the level of the President, the Speaker of the Parliament and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthening the relations and cooperation between the two countries.

An important event was the meeting of the leaders of Belarus and Mongolia in December 2023 - during the World Climate Summit in Dubai. During the meeting, the leaders discussed the joint contribution of the two countries to solving such global problems as climate change and desertification, climate change mitigation and adaptation, the importance of women's participation and leadership in the fight against climate change.

I am confident that in the future, the leaders of our countries will "synchronize watches" on a regular basis.

- What role does the activity of the joint Belarusian-Mongolian intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation play in the development of bilateral relations?

- The work of the commission is an important mechanism for the development of Belarusian-Mongolian cooperation. Its meetings are held on a regular basis, and even during the pandemic, the work was organized online . By



the way, in 2024, the 7th meeting of the intergovernmental commission was held in MINSK, during which a thorough review of the state and prospects of cooperation between Belarus and Mongolia took place. The Mongolian delegation was headed by the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Hayangaagiin Bolorchuluun, the Belarusian delegation was headed by the Minister of Industry Alexander Rogozhnik.
By the Resolution of the Government of Mongolia dated August 7, 2024, member of the State Great Khural of Mongolia, member of the government, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Jadambyn Enkhbayar was appointed Chairman of the Mongolian part of the Mongolian-Belarusian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation. Jadambyn Enkhbayar is considered one of the most experienced politicians. I am confident that in this responsible position he will make a significant contribution to the cooperation between our two sides.

I would also like to draw attention to the fact that the Belarusian-Mongolian commissions on international automobile communication, on cooperation in science and technology have been created and are operating.

Issues of relations in the scientific and technical sphere are regulated by the agreement between the State Committee on Science and Technology of Belarus and the Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia, as well as the agreement between the National Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia. Since 2015, a joint Belarusian-Mongolian commission on cooperation in science and technology has been in operation. Its fourth meeting was held in January 2024 in Minsk. The following areas were identified as priorities for joint work: agriculture, agricultural and forestry machinery and equipment, reforestation and selection, animal husbandry, crop production, history and archeology. What is very important, agreements were reached on conducting joint research and development of mutual interest, as well as on participation in various scientific events - symposiums, conferences, internships.

- How is cooperation developing in the cultural and humanitarian sphere?

- Considering the dialogue of cultures, cultural exchange as one of the most important factors in strengthening friendship and trust between the peoples of Mongolia and Belarus, within the framework of the comprehensive event "Mongolian National Values", the embassy, ​​together with the Choijin Lama Temple-Museum, organized a photo exhibition "Mandala: The Secret Temple of Tantra" on October 30, 2024 at the ArtChaos Art Gallery. We presented to the citizens of Belarus the best exhibits of the Choijin Lama Temple-Museum, which were created using various techniques of fine art with unique colors. These works are masterpieces of Mongolian art related to the history and culture of Mongolia in the 17th-19th centuries.
On June 6, as part of the International Specialized Exhibition "Belagro-2024", we organized a cultural, artistic and tasting event "One Day in Mongolia". On the main stage of the exhibition, Mongolian masters demonstrated the rich cultural heritage of the people. To feel the spirit of real Mongolia, viewers were invited to listen to the sound of morin khuur - an authentic string instrument, enjoy the melody of urtyn duu (a folk drawn-out song) and try national dishes.

In 2025, we plan to expand cooperation between the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia and the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, organize mutual visits of scientists and ensure the participation of Belarusian scientists in summer field research of archaeological excavations in Mongolia. This year we also plan to organize the translation of the famous book "The Secret History of the Mongols" into Belarusian and hold a presentation with the participation of Belarusian scientists and experts in Belarus.

"The Secret History of the Mongols" describes in detail and vividly the life and deeds of the great Genghis Khan and his successors, the heyday of the Great Mongol Empire, international relations, the nomadic way of life, the folk language, poetry, customs and other aspects of Mongolian and broader Eurasian history. it is an invaluable source on the history, language and culture of the Mongols, as well as a leading and unique literary work. "The Secret History of the Mongols" has been translated into 30 languages ​​in more than 30 countries around the world, including English, Azerbaijani, Bulgarian, German, Spanish, Italian, Kazakh, Hungarian, Marathi, Russian, Persian, Polish, Korean, Turkish, French, Chinese, Czech, Esperanto,Japanese, and has been reprinted more than 150 times.

- The exchange of delegations between our countries has become regular, and representatives of various departments of Mongolia often come to Belarus. What interests Mongolian friends in our country the most?

- Yes, indeed, Mongolian delegations now regularly visit Belarus and study the activities of various spheres in order to establish cooperation with Belarusian partners.
Of course, we are attracted by high-quality Belarusian products . We have sufficient MEAT supplies, but we buy dairy products, including dry MILK , from abroad. The issues of purchasing dairy cattle and milking machines are also being considered.

Belarus is very interesting for us in terms of purchasing dairy products. Therefore, representatives of the agricultural sector from Mongolia are currently carefully studying the Belarusian market, establishing direct contacts with Belarusian producers. In general, it is agriculture, and not only large enterprises, but also farms that produce high-quality products, that are interesting to us as promising partners.
I would like to draw attention to the fact that Mongolia purchases fire engines and equipment, MAZ trucks for road maintenance and cleaning, tractors, and agricultural machinery from Belarus. In addition, joint projects with the Belarusian side on the reconstruction of public residential elevators in Ulaanbaatar have proven themselves to be successful.

- Mongolian cashmere products are famous all over the world. Are there any prospects for establishing supplies of these products to Belarus?

- Yes, indeed, Mongolia, where large-scale production of cashmere has been established thanks to nomads, is ready to offer you these wonderful products. Nomads are very hardworking people, they have to work hard to obtain products. They are the ones who preserve and pass on ancient traditions from generation to generation, leading a nomadic lifestyle and producing wool and cashmere. In addition, it is thanks to them that family traditions continue. While the average age of marriage among city dwellers is becoming later, as is the case all over the world, nomads do not delay starting a family, because they know that their children will continue their family line and national traditions.
 

By the way, at present nomads are the richest people in the country, because they produce a lot of necessary products - meat , milk, cheese , wool, which are in great demand both in Mongolia and for EXPORT.

I would like to tell you separately about Mongolian cashmere, which is a brand of our country and is called "royal yarn" all over the world. Exquisite cashmere items are very popular in various regions of the world, because the fabric has unique properties to amazingly retain heat.

I would like to explain the reason for the high priceworldwide for cashmere products. Mongolian goats live in a cold climate, their undercoat grows very slowly and consists of thin long hair, its length reaches forty-five millimeters. One cashmere goat can give about 150 grams of such wool per year - only for part of one sweater. That's why cashmere is so expensive. But these are thin, elegant and incredibly warm products, be it sweaters, scarves,gloves or something else. Mongolian cashmere products have gained recognition all over the world.

I think that supplies of Mongolian cashmere to Belarus are an excellent prospect for the development of bilateral trade and economic relations. Currently, we are talking about supplying raw materials to your country and producing finished cashmere products here, which can then be sold abroad.

I am confident that the agreements reached at the level of heads of state, as well as the set of measures included in the "Roadmap for the Development of Cooperation between Mongolia and the Republic of Belarus for 2024-2026" will be successfully implemented in the coming years, and trade and investment between our two countries will increase significantly.

- Mr. Ambassador, what do you like about Belarus and Belarusians?

- Belarus has very beautiful nature, many forests, lakes and rivers. And Belarusians are sincere and hospitable, like the Mongols. There is a visa-free regime between our countries, and we would like as many Belarusians as possible to visit Mongolia, which has incredibly beautiful landscapes, and for Mongolians to visit beautiful Belarus more often, especially since Mongolia declared 2023-2025 the "Years of Visiting Mongolia". At the next meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on October 9, 2024, it was decided to continue the "Year of Visiting Mongolia" initiative until 2028 in order to promote the country both in the international arena and for domestic and foreign tourists.



Every year, about 5-7 thousand Belarusian tourists visit Mongolia. This is a fairly good indicator. We will work on further expanding interpersonal relations and mutual trips between Belarus and Mongolia.

Alina GRISHKEVICH,
photo by the author,
BELTA.