28 September 2010
Ottawa, Ontario
Following discussions between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mongolian Prime Minister Sükhbaatar Batbold, Canada and Mongolia agreed to three Memoranda of Understanding:
The leaders have agreed on an MOU between the Standards Council of Canada and the Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology. This MOU aims to facilitate dialogue and exchange between Canadian and Mongolian experts in the area of standardization and to promote best practices in various sectors, including roads, transport, construction and urban development. Cooperation on standardization activities is expected to contribute to bilateral trade as well as enhance market access.
The MOU between the Public Service Commission of Canada and the Civil Service Council of Mongolia is aimed at strengthening Mongolia's institutions of democratic governance. It will facilitate cooperation on public service reform and training and assist Mongolia in creating a more competent, merit-based, non-partisan public service. The MOU follows up on the May 2010 visit to Mongolia by the President of the Public Service Commission, the Deputy Secretary to Cabinet for Senior Personnel and Public Service Renewal and the President of the Canada School of Public Service.
The Public Service Commission is on schedule to complete a comparative study that aims to obtain a broader understanding of how each civil service functions. The study will be useful in identifying possible areas of future cooperation.
This Memorandum of Understanding will further promote cooperation between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Mongolian Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry in agriculture, and will facilitate information, technology and commercial exchanges. Agricultural development is a priority for Mongolia and agricultural science and technology is seen as critical to the country's economic growth.
The Joint Statement issued by Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Batbold sets forth joint priorities for the bilateral relationship. It includes a commitment by Mongolia to accede to the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel landmines. It also outlines important objectives towards achieving enhanced trade and investment relations. Through the Joint Statement, there is a mutual commitment to conclude current negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). Ratification of this agreement would be followed by bilateral exploratory discussions regarding a possible agreement on free trade.
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