Minister of Foreign Affairs B.Battsetseg made an official visit to Finland from July 30 to August 1, marking a historic milestone as the first-ever visit by a Mongolian Foreign Minister since Mongolia and Finland established diplomatic relations in 1963.
The visit was made at the invitation of Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Maria Valtonen and included participation in the high-level international conference “Helsinki+50: Respecting the Legacy, Preparing for the Future,” held in Helsinki on July 30–31. The event commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which laid the foundation for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Delegates from OSCE member states convened to reflect on the progress achieved in regional security and cooperation over the past five decades, and to chart a course for addressing future challenges, shaping policies, and fostering dialogue for the next 50 years.
Minister B.Battsetseg took part in a panel discussion titled “How to Strengthen Respect for the Foundational Principles of European Security?”, where she presented Mongolia’s foreign policy vision, emphasizing the country’s efforts to promote regional peace and contribute to OSCE cooperation. She highlighted Mongolia’s growing role in advancing security, fostering dialogue, and enhancing mutual understanding among member states.
On the sidelines of the conference, Minister B.Battsetseg met with OSCE Secretary General Feridun H.Sinirlioglu. She reaffirmed Mongolia’s support for the organization’s core principles and expressed confidence in the OSCE’s ability to adapt to contemporary security challenges. Secretary General Sinirlioglu commended Mongolia’s proactive role in the OSCE, particularly in promoting women’s participation in governance and efforts to combat terrorism.
Mongolia became the fifth Asian partner country of the OSCE in 2004 and achieved full membership in 2012, becoming the organization’s 57th member. The OSCE, the world’s largest regional security organization, brings together nations from Europe, Central Asia, and North America to address a wide range of security issues.
In a broader diplomatic context, Minister B.Battsetseg was received by Finnish President Alexander Stubb on July 31. Both sides emphasized the strong and steadily developing relationship between Mongolia and Finland, rooted in shared democratic values and respect for human rights. They underlined the importance of high-level exchanges and political dialogue in deepening bilateral ties.
Minister B.Battsetseg conveyed Mongolia’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Finland under its “Third Neighbor” foreign policy, aimed at strengthening partnerships beyond its immediate geographic region. She also reiterated Mongolia’s invitation to President Stubb to visit Mongolia, signaling interest in further deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including democratic governance, sustainable development, and economic connectivity.
The visit underscored Mongolia’s growing diplomatic engagement in Europe and reaffirmed its dedication to multilateralism, regional stability, and global cooperation.
