Chair of the NATO Military Committee Engages in Strategic Talks with Mongolia

Admiral Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, visited Mongolia from September 8-10, 2024, to discuss enhancing NATO-Mongolia partnerships. He toured key military facilities, engaged with military leadership, and highlighted Mongolia’s contributions to NATO-led missions. The visit underscored the shared commitment to addressing global security concerns through mutual cooperation and culminated in Mongolia’s transition to an Individually Tailored Partnership Programme with NATO, addressing various contemporary issues.

From September 8 to 10, 2024, Admiral Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, undertook a significant visit to Mongolia, a long-standing NATO partner, at the invitation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces. This visit emphasized NATO’s dedication to enhancing its partnership with Mongolia, allowing Admiral Bauer to communicate the alliance’s commitment to fostering dialogue, cooperation, and interoperability in military capacities. During this time, he shared insights from the 2024 Washington DC Summit and acknowledged the achievements of the NATO-Mongolia partnership across various domains including education, peacekeeping, and capacity building.

On September 8, Admiral Bauer toured the Five Hills Peace Support Operations Training Center, where he observed field training activities. The center has operated within the Partnership Training and Education Centers network for over a decade, showcasing Mongolia’s dedication to global stability through its involvement in NATO missions. This demonstrated the lessons learned by Mongolia through its active participation in international missions, reinforcing the importance of shared global security efforts.

The following day, Admiral Bauer was formally welcomed with a military guard of honor at the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces and held discussions with Major General Ganbyamba Sunrev concerning the modernization of the Mongolian Armed Forces. He then met with Mongolian troops who had participated in NATO-led operations, highlighting Mongolia’s contributions over the past 16 years in missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. Admiral Bauer also conversed with Brigadier General Gankhuyag.D, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, and Mr. Byambajargal, Secretary of the National Security Council, reiterating the global nature of contemporary security challenges and the significance of cooperative military efforts based on mutual respect.

On September 10, Admiral Bauer gathered with representatives from Allied embassies to discuss the integration of civilian and military diplomacy for a comprehensive partnership approach. Concluding his visit, he paid homage at the statue of Chinggis Khaan, reflecting on Mongolia’s rich military history.

Since the establishment of dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Mongolia in 2005, the relationship has evolved, culminating in Mongolia’s transition to its first Individually Tailored Partnership Programme. This new program addresses multifaceted issues, including the Women, Peace, and Security agenda and cyber defense. Upcoming military staff talks are scheduled for October 2024 at NATO headquarters, further enhancing this strategic partnership.

The NATO-Mongolia partnership has developed since the early 2000s, with Mongolia increasingly engaging in NATO-led operations and showcasing a commitment to international peace and security. The Five Hills Peace Support Operations Training Center reflects Mongolia’s role in global collaborative efforts to promote stability. Through continual dialogue and cooperation, Mongolia has aligned itself with NATO’s strategic principles, leading to the advancement of its military capabilities and contributions to international missions. The recent upgrade to an Individually Tailored Partnership Programme signifies a deepening of this relationship, addressing contemporary security challenges and operational needs.

Admiral Bauer’s visit to Mongolia from September 8 to 10, 2024, illustrates NATO’s commitment to its partnership with Mongolia and its significance in promoting global security cooperation. Through discussions with Mongolian military leaders and visits to key military facilities, Admiral Bauer emphasized the mutual benefits of military collaboration. The formal discussions, alongside shared historical and contemporary security frameworks, affirm the NATO-Mongolia partnership’s pivotal role in addressing evolving security challenges in a cooperative manner.

Original Source: www.nato.int