CHAN FIRST CANADIAN MINISTER TO VISIT MONGOLIA
May 15, 1998 No. 125
CHAN FIRST CANADIAN MINISTER TO VISIT MONGOLIA
Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan announced today that he will visit
Mongolia from May 18 to 22. Mr. Chan will be the first Canadian minister to make
an official visit to Mongolia; the visit marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between Canada and Mongolia. Mr. Chan will be accompanied by a business
delegation representing a range of sectors including mining, agriculture,
transportation, telecommunications and energy.
"Canada recognizes Mongolia's successful efforts as a member of the Asia-Pacific
community to build an open economy with democratic institutions," said Mr. Chan.
"This visit is an opportunity, on the 25th anniversary of Canada-Mongolia
relations, to explore new areas of co-operation and cultivate closer economic
relations between our countries. Increasingly, Canadian firms are recognizing
that their expertise is uniquely suited to the growing commercial needs of this
developing market."
Mr. Chan is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, as well
as government leaders, including the Chairman of the State Great Hural
(Parliament), Dr. Gonchigdorj, the Minister for Agriculture and Industry, and the
Minister for Infrastructure Development. Mr. Chan is expected to discuss a range
of bilateral issues with government leaders and hold meetings on mining and
mineral resources, taxation issues and protection for foreign investment. Canada
is currently Mongolia's fifth-largest international investor.
Mr. Chan will meet with the Chairman of the Mongol-Canadian Parliamentary Group,
Mr. Enkhtuvshin, to discuss ways to promote co-operation between Canadian and
Mongolian parliamentarians. In addition to activities to strengthen cultural and
academic links, Mr. Chan will profile Canada's development assistance for
Mongolia by visiting Canadian-funded projects in the region.
Mongolia opened its first mission in Canada earlier this year.
- 30 -Backgrounders are attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Hilary Humphrey
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Backgrounder
VISIT TO MONGOLIA OF THE HONOURABLE RAYMOND CHAN
SECRETARY OF STATE (ASIA-PACIFIC)
MAY 18 TO 22, 1998
BUSINESS DELEGATION
Agriteam Canada, Calgary, Ontario
CPCS Transcom Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario
Dorey International, Montreal, Quebec
Dunn Analytical Laboratories Inc., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Java Gold Corporation/Golden Tiger Corporation, Toronto, Ontario
MacLeod Dixon, Barristers and Solicitors, Toronto, Ontario
RACAL Canada Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia
Quincunx Gold Exploration Ltd., Waterdown, Ontario
CANADIAN COMPANIES BASED IN MONGOLIA
Cascadia Minerals
Can-Asia Drilling Services Ltd.
Nostrad Telecommunications
World Wide Minerals
Armada Gold Ltd.
Backgrounder
CANADA-MONGOLIA RELATIONS
November 30, 1998, will mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between Canada and Mongolia. A series of cultural and
educational events and exchanges and high-level visits have been planned by the
Mongolian and Canadian governments to mark the occasion. The visit of Secretary
of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan to Mongolia in May and the proposed visit of
Minister of External Relations Amarjargal to Canada in September commemorate this
special anniversary.
PROFILE
Canada first recognized Mongolia in 1943 and established diplomatic relations in
November 1973. Canada's relations with Mongolia have broadened since Mongolia's
move in 1990 toward democracy and a market-oriented economy. Canada values
Mongolia's status as a newly democratic state whose foreign policy is based on
integration with the Asia-Pacific region. A democratic coalition government was
elected in the summer of 1996, while in April 1997 a new Prime Minister,
Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, assumed office following a cabinet shuffle. The ruling
democratic coalition has committed itself to economic liberalization, including
investment and regulatory revisions, which will facilitate Canadian trade and
investment in Mongolia. Mongolia has proposed signing a Double Taxation Agreement
and a Foreign Investment Protection Agreement with Canada on which discussions
are ongoing.
With bilateral trade estimated at a modest $1 million, Mongolia has not been a
high economic priority for Canada. However, relations with Mongolia are
expanding, led by the activities of Canadian businesses in Mongolia -- primarily
mining interests. Several Canadian companies have been active in the Mongolian
mining sector for a number of years. However, with the liberalization of the
Mongolian economy, Canadian agriculture, energy, transportation and
telecommunications companies will find significant commercial opportunities in
Mongolia. Canada is currently Mongolia's fifth-largest investor.
A Canada-Mongolia Business Association comprising Canadian and Mongolian firms
was established in June 1997 to promote business development and enhanced
bilateral trade.
ENHANCED BILATERAL RELATIONS
NEW CONSULATES
The Canadian Embassy in Beijing is responsible for Canadian interests in
Mongolia, while the Mongolian Embassy in Washington is responsible for Mongolian
interests in Canada.
During the visit of Chairman Gonchigdorj to Canada in March 1998, the first
Mongolian Consulate General was officially opened in Toronto.
In December 1997, Canada appointed Christopher Johnstone as Honorary Consul to
Mongolia. The Honorary Consulate in Ulaanbaatar was officially opened by the
Canadian Ambassador to China, Howard Balloch, in February 1998.
HIGH-LEVEL VISITS
A series of bilateral visits and exchanges have broadened Canada-Mongolia
relations in recent years. The first visit by a Canadian parliamentarian to
Mongolia was made by the Speaker of the Senate, Gildas Molgat, in 1997 (March 31
to April 4). During his visit, Speaker Molgat extended an invitation to Chairman
Gonchigdorj, who visited Canada one year later in March 1998.
There are also increasing numbers of Canadian tourists, teachers and development
workers in Mongolia.
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
In March 1997, Canada designated Mongolia as eligible for official development
assistance. To date, projects worth close to $184 000 have been supported,
ranging from sustainable waste management, voter education to schooling for
working children.