Reception at Prague Castle
Text: H.E. Mr. Gansukh Khashkhan Damdin, Ambassador of Mongolia to the Czech Republic; Photo: Archive
Presidents Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and Petr Pavel have elevated relations to a Comprehensive Partnership
At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of Mongolia, paid a State Visit to the Czech Republic in March 2025. During this visit, the two sides elevated their relations to the level of a Comprehensive Partnership, opening a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations and cooperation.
Thus, the Czech Republic has become the third member state of the European Union with which Mongolia has established a partnership relationship. Mongolia considers the Czech Republic a “third neighbour” and an important partner in Europe, and our long history of steady efforts to broaden and strengthen cooperation in all fields clearly demonstrates this commitment.
A brief glimpse on the bilateral relations and cooperation
Diplomatic relations between the then People’s Republic of Mongolia and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic were established on April 25th, 1950.
Since the second half of the 20th century, the Czech Republic has made a significant contribution to the development, prosperity, and modernisation of contemporary Mongolia through investment, assistance, and technical support. For instance, a joint Mongolian-Czech geological team discovered the Erdenet copper deposit in the mid-1960s. With the support and expertise of Czech and Slovak friends, major industrial and social projects such as the Darkhan Cement Plant, the Footwear Factory, the Leather Processing Plant, the Thermal Power Plant, and the First Central Hospital of Mongolia were successfully constructed. Thousands of Mongolians also studied, trained, and worked in the Czech and Slovak Republics, acquiring valuable professional skills and experience.
During his visit, the President of Mongolia met with Mr. Mojmír Krauter, a 98-year-old geologist who participated in the discovery of the Erdenet copper deposit. Mr. Krauter is a highly respected figure in Mongolia, and has been decorated twice with the country’s state honours. He often refers to Mongolia as his “second homeland”.
The foundation of Mongolia-Czechia cooperation lies in the complementarity of Mongolia’s natural resources and raw materials with Czech investment and technology. Maximizing these mutual advantages has been key to the success of the partnership. Until the 1990s, the Czech Republic was Mongolia’s second-largest trading partner, reflecting the extensive scope and strength of economic cooperation between the two countries.
President Petr Pavel welcomes President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa
Today, traditionally beneficial cooperation continues
Both sides are committed to continuing this long-standing tradition of cooperation in a mutually beneficial and effective manner. The private sectors of the two countries are actively collaborating in fields such as manufacturing based on Mongolia’s raw materials and Czech technology and know-how, as well as in agriculture, environmental protection, and mineral exploration. In 2024, the trade turnover between Mongolia and the Czech Republic reached 20 million USD.
Today, about 70 percent of all bread produced in Ulaanbaatar is made using advanced Czech technology. In Erdenet, Mongolia’s third largest city, home to a major copper-molybdenum plant first discovered by Czechoslovak geologists, eco-friendly residential complexes and Czech beer are being built and produced with Czech technology. A recent example of growing trade and economic cooperation is the opening of an official branch of the Czech health and cosmetics company Dr. Müller Pharma in Ulaanbaatar in October of this year.
The annual Mongolia-Czechia Business Forum, held in Ulaanbaatar, plays a crucial role in promoting and expanding trade and economic collaboration. During the State Visit of the President of Mongolia, a business forum took place in Prague, bringing together more than 170 companies and entrepreneurs from both countries. Several partnership, trade, and investment contracts were signed during the event, marking an important step forward in elevating the business relations between Mongolia and the Czech Republic to a new level.
In his opening remarks of the Forum, President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa underscored Mongolia’s commitment to expanding its economic cooperation with the Czech Republic, implementing mutually beneficial projects and programs, and deepening collaboration in areas such as environmental protection, healthcare, culture, education, sports, tourism, and agriculture. For his part, President Petr Pavel stated, “Although Mongolia is geographically distant from the Czech Republic, our two nations share many commonalities. Over the past 75 years, we have maintained friendly and open relations, which provide a strong foundation and great opportunities to deepen cooperation in mining, energy, defence, healthcare, and agriculture.” His remarks further reinforced the spirit of trust and mutual understanding between the two sides.
President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and Mr. Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Czech Senate
The Comprehensive Partnership is creating new opportunities
By elevating bilateral relations to the level of a Comprehensive Partnership, Mongolia and the Czech Republic have created new opportunities to enhance trade and economic cooperation, strengthen business partnerships, and promote collaboration in a broad range of areas. These include food security, agriculture, crop production through the introduction of advanced machinery and equipment, and the localisation of Czech know-how.
The two countries also aim to cooperate in geological research, mining, energy, and green technologies, as well as in major development and infrastructure projects such as the Kharkhorum and New Zuunmod city initiatives. Further collaboration will extend to water management, defence and defence industries, reforestation, and combating desertification – all of which will contribute to achieving the shared development goals of both nations.
The two Heads of State also exchanged views on addressing global challenges such as climate change, desertification, and food insecurity. President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa highlighted that, as part of the country’s efforts to combat desertification and land degradation and to mitigate the effects of climate change, Mongolia has launched and is implementing the national ‘Billion Trees’ movement. Within this framework, Mongolia is also cooperating with the European Union through the Forest Partnership initiative.
President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and Mr. Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
People-to-people ties form a strong bridge of cooperation
Over the decades, more than 20,000 Mongolians have studied, trained, and worked in the former Czechoslovakia, and this fine tradition has continued in the Czech Republic over the past 30 years. At present, nearly 15,000 Mongolian citizens live, work, and study in Czechia. More than 1,600 Mongolian children are enrolled in schools at various levels, and it is expected that the number of Mongolians pursuing higher education in the Czech Republic will continue to grow, becoming a valuable source of intellectual capital for Mongolia in the years to come.
Undoubtedly, people-to-people exchanges serve as a solid bridge of mutual understanding, trust, and cultural connection between nations. The Czech Republic hosts the largest Mongolian community among all European countries, a fact that clearly reflects the closeness and vitality of relations between our two countries.
Within the framework of the ‘President’s Fellowship–2100’ program, since the 2023 academic year, more than 50 Mongolian students have been studying at leading Czech universities in the fields of engineering, technology, computer science, cybersecurity, agriculture, biomedical sciences, mining, and renewable energy.
President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa with H.E. Mr. Gansukh Khashkhan Damdin, Ambassador of Mongolia to the Czech Republic
Milestones of the anniversary commemoration
To mark the historic 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Czechia, a series of cultural and commemorative events were organised throughout the year. Among the highlights was the international exhibition ‘Chinggis Khaan’, inaugurated on March 11th, 2025, at the National Museum of the Czech Republic under the patronage of the Presidents of both nations, Mr. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa of Mongolia and Mr. Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic.
The exhibition, which remained open until June 22nd, attracted more than 75,000 visitors. In his opening remarks, President Khurelsukh emphasised that the exhibition offered a unique opportunity for people around the world to learn about the wisdom, legacy, and cultural heritage of our Mongolian ancestors – the creators of the ‘Pax Mongolica’, a symbol of peace and harmony that once united vast territories under stability and order.
Adding a musical flourish to the celebrations, the Mongolian Morin Khuur Ensemble performed in the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle, the official residence of the Czech President, and later on in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum, home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. The ensemble presented “Beautiful Mongolia”, a concert program that combined masterpieces of Mongolian traditional music with selections from the renowned Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, including ‘Árie Rusalky’ and ‘Humoresque’. The performance captivated audiences, symbolising the harmonious blending of two rich musical traditions.
The Przewalski’s horse project is a vivid symbol of the enduring partnership between the nations
When reflecting on the cooperation between Mongolia and the Czech Republic, one cannot overlook the Przewalski’s horse reintroduction project – a vivid symbol of the enduring partnership between the two nations.
In 1959, the Prague Zoo took a pioneering role in global wildlife conservation by initiating and hosting the first international symposium dedicated to saving the Przewalski’s horse, which had been on the brink of extinction since the 1950s. Following this, the zoo began maintaining a comprehensive genetic registry and database for the species, establishing the scientific foundation for its preservation and successful revival.
Between 2011 and 2019, the Prague Zoo reintroduced 34 Przewalski’s horses into Mongolia’s Khomiin Tal and the Great Gobi ‘B’ Strictly Protected Area, where their population has since flourished to more than 400. Building on this success, activities are now underway to extend the project to Mongolia’s eastern region, specifically the Nomrog Strictly Protected Area in the Dornod Province.
The Prague Zoo has been working with Mongolia not only to reintroduce the Przewalski’s horse, but also to protect other rare and endangered species such as the saiga antelope and the wild Bactrian camel. These shared conservation efforts have deepened the two nations’ partnership in the vital field of environmental and wildlife preservation.
H.E. Mr. Gansukh Khashkhan Damdin, Ambassador of Mongolia to the Czech Republic with students
With shared common values, both nations look confidently to the future
Bound by common values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, Mongolia and the Czech Republic have elevated their long-standing friendship to the level of a Comprehensive Partnership – a milestone that ensures even closer cooperation and continued growth in the years ahead.
The 75-year journey of Mongolia-Czechia relations stands not merely as a record of political and economic collaboration, but as a reflection of the enduring friendship and mutual respect between their peoples.
As both nations honour their proud accomplishments, and look with confidence toward the future, this partnership promises to remain a source of hope, trust, and inspiration for the new century.