In a spirit of mutual benefit and reciprocity, NATO’s partnership with Mongolia aims to promote common understanding through consultation and cooperation. Based on a shared commitment to peace, democracy, human rights, rule of law and international security, Mongolia and NATO adopted in March 2012 an Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP) which sets out plans to enhance interoperability, address global security issues, develop mechanisms for crisis prevention and management, and build capacity.
Recent political engagment has served to identify the strategic priorities for the development of partnership relations. Mongolia has hosted high-level NATO delegations, such as those led by Director General of the International Military Staff LtGen Juergen Bornemann in September 2011 and by Deputy Assistant Secretary General James Appathurai in May 2011. In November 2010, President Tsakhia Elbegdorj attended the Lisbon Summit. These exchanges provided opportunities to discuss NATO-Mongolia cooperation and Mongolia’s current and future involvement in international crisis management.
In addition to promoting political dialogue at various levels and formats, the two-year IPCP with Mongolia foresees practical cooperation in the fields of training and education, science, emerging security challenges, public diplomacy, and peace-support operations.
Mongolia has contributed troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since March 2010, when it first deployed an infantry platoon to ISAF’s Regional Command North. The country also supports the Training Mission in Afghanistan with infantry, artillery and air mentor trainers. In addition, Mongolia participated in the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) from December 2005 to March 2007.
To further enhance the interoperability of its armed forces with NATO forces, Mongolia plans to exchange best practices, participate in a wide range of NATO courses and training activities, and consider the possibility of select forces taking part in the Operational Capabilities Concept. The Mongolian Five Hills Peace Support Operations Training Centre is also being prepared for consideration to be part of the network of Partnership Training and Education Centres.
Cooperation in the area of emerging security challenges focuses in particular on counter-terrorism, non-proliferation and cyber defence. Proposals for cooperation in the field of science and technology – notably through the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme – include the rehabilitation of former military sites and the development of resilience and security in information communications technology.
