Monday, April 21, 2014

The 3rd Annual Consultative Meeting Between Mongolia and Switzerland: by Frances Garnett

In Bern, Switzerland, on March 24st, the Mongolian and Swiss Ministries of Foreign Affairs had their third annual Consultative Meeting, which turned out very successfully. They discussed: what would happen for the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship (they each will organize cultural events, exhibitions and business meetings); maybe having a Mongolia-Switzerland Commission on Economic Cooperation to aid trade; and they discussed their contentment with the the Swiss programs that have been trying to help decentralize Mongolia, improve education in rural areas, and develop agriculture to promote food security for the future. Both countries agreed to support each other in international organizations (like the UN).

What interested me the most about this article was how a developed country (Switzerland) was helping a developing country (Mongolia). I would think that pride is usually an issue, and a country like Mongolia might be uncomfortable accepting so much aid from another nation, but I think it's a great strategy for countries to help each other improve the lives of their citizens. No doubt Switzerland, too, is receiving benefits, probably economic ones from trade, but it's still nice to see how the world is still improving in the midst of wars and conflicts.

Source: http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=8458

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