Cashmere and Belarusian know-how. Mongolian Ambassador on a landmark agreement for cooperation with Belarus 

Batsukh Bayarsaikhan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Belarus , expressed his opinion in an interview with BELTA. He noted the intensified interaction between the two countries in politics, economics, science, education, and archaeology. The diplomat detailed important events and exchanges of visits held this year and shared plans for 2026. He also discussed the significance of the "Secret History of the Mongols" and its translation into Belarusian. Ambassador,

how actively are political contacts between Belarus and Mongolia developing in the current context?

In 2025, relations and cooperation between our countries steadily developed across all areas in accordance with the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation, signed in June 2024 in Ulaanbaatar.

We see that the frequency of mutual contacts at the highest and most senior levels has been maintained, and a solid foundation for cooperation in new areas has been laid. 

This year, the presidents of Mongolia and Belarus met during the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Representatives of Mongolia and Belarus also met on the sidelines of the 20th meeting of the Security Council Secretaries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states.

Furthermore, on December 15, 2025, an online meeting was held between Rinchindorjiin Batbold, member of the State Great Khural of Mongolia and head of the Mongolian-Belarusian parliamentary friendship group, and Sergei Aleinik, Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security and head of the working group of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on cooperation with the Parliament of Mongolia. Close cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries plays an important role in creating a favorable legal environment for expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Next year, we will work to organize reciprocal visits between the parliamentary friendship groups of the two countries. I

would also like to note that, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Liberation War, which made a significant contribution to Mongolia's independence and international recognition, the Mongolian Embassy in Belarus, together with the Mongolian Ministry of Defense and the Belarusian Museum of the History of the Patriotic War, organized a photo exhibition, "Victory over Japan," in Minsk in September.

Among the important events, I would also like to highlight the visit to Minsk.In May of this year, a delegation led by Batsukh Baatarsaikhan, a member of the Mongolian Bar Association and executive director of the law firm Soyombo Legal Partners, held talks with the leadership of the Belarusian Bar Association and the Court of the Eurasian Economic Union. The parties exchanged views on opportunities for providing legal assistance and developing cooperation in the field of defense.

One of the important outcomes of bilateral cooperation in the past year was the signing of the Interim Trade Agreement between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union and its member states.

This agreement marks a new stage in the development of relations between Mongolia and the EAEU countries and opens up broad opportunities for duty-free imports of 367 commodity subheadings for each party. I am pleased to announce that Mongolia quickly completed the domestic procedures and ratified this agreement on December 12, 2025.

Over 60 types of leather and leather goods, 204 types of wool and cashmere products, 65 types of milk, dairy products, and animal products exported from Mongolia to the Eurasian Economic Union will be subject to zero customs duties. 

Furthermore, customs duties on mineral products such as fluorite, salt , copper, molybdenum, lead, and tungsten will be abolished. Our export enterprises are expected to be exempt from customs duties worth at least $16.6 million at the border, which will lead to a reduction in the trade imbalance.

I would like to emphasize that Belarus not only fully satisfies its domestic food needs but also exports approximately $9 billion worth of food annually. I would especially like to note the interest in using and localizing Belarusian technologies, know-how, and best practices in implementing comprehensive measures aimed at ensuring food security in Mongolia.

Recently, on December 5, 2025, I met with representatives of 30 Belarusian manufacturing companies, banks, law firms, and educational institutions. We discussed import and export opportunities for both sides, taking into account the conclusion of the Interim Trade Agreement. I would like to confirm the demand in Mongolia for Belarusian products from the food, agricultural, construction, and mechanical engineering industries. Mongolia, in turn, is ready to offer Belarus livestock products and high-quality raw materials for the textile and leather industries. 

In accordance with this agreement, Mongolian goods will be granted preferential access to meat, dairy products, light industry goods, and high-quality finished goods, including knitwear and textile apparel. 

Ambassador, the Forum of Young Scientists of Mongolia and Belarus was held in Ulaanbaatar this year. How is cooperation in this area developing overall?

From September 29 to October 1, 2025, the Forum of Young Scientists of Mongolia and Belarus was successfully held at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences in Ulaanbaatar. Its main outcome was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mongolian Association of Young Scientists and the Council of Young Scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Importantly, professional contacts were established during the visit, and the possibility of submitting a joint application to the Mongolian Science and Technology Foundation and the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research was explored. I am confident that the future and prosperity of our two countries lies with our young scientists.

In September 2025, as part of the cooperation between the Institute of History and Ethnography of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, a representative of this Belarusian university successfully visited Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia is a unique place for archaeologists. Many scholars from around the world are eager to come here. I am confident that the arrival of Belarusian representatives will contribute to the development of fruitful cooperation in the field of archaeology.

It is worth noting that, in order to expand the field of Mongolian studies in Mongolia and support researchers working in this field, a student from Belarus was awarded a scholarship to study in the preparatory courses of the Mongolian language at the Faculty of Humanities of the Faculty of Science of the Mongolian National University in the 2025/2026 academic year. 

I would like to draw special attention to the conference on Mongolian studies held in Minsk and the presentation of the "Secret History of the Mongols" in Belarusian.

On the occasion of the 114th anniversary of National Freedom and Restoration of Independence of Mongolia, the embassy, ​​together with the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, held a scientific and practical conference on "Mongol Studies in Eurasia 2025 - Secret History of the Mongols" on December 19, which generated great interest from the Belarusian side.

Mongolian studies are a key area of ​​both national and international scientific and cultural cooperation. They play a significant role in preserving and strengthening the linguistic and cultural identity of the Mongolian people, facilitating its widespread dissemination and popularization worldwide.

Founded in 1959, the International Association of Mongolian Studies today unites over 40 centers of Mongolian studies in over 20 countries and approximately 500 scholars specializing in Mongolian studies, ensuring the coordination of their activities, the exchange of scientific information, and the support of research initiatives. Every four years, Mongolia hosts the International Congress of Mongolian Studies under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, and the 13th Congress is planned for 2026.

The publication of "The Secret History of the Mongols" in Belarusian marks the 30th foreign language and 34th country in which this unique work has been published. The contribution of Russian Mongolian scholars to the study of "The Secret History of the Mongols" is well-known. Now, the interest of Belarusian scholars is also evident.

"The Secret History of the Mongols" is a primary source for the history of the Mongolian peoples, a unique encyclopedia of their national language and script, folk wisdom, ancient literature, customs and traditions, and a unique monument to traditional spiritual culture. For this reason, at the 131st session of the UNESCO Executive Board in 1989, it was specifically noted that "The Secret History of the Mongols," with its exceptional artistic, aesthetic, and poetic qualities, is an unrivaled work in the history of Mongolian literature and rightfully belongs to the rich treasury of world cultural heritage. In this regard, an initiative was put forward to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the creation of this work, and in 1990, it was solemnly celebrated.

Research based on the study of the original text of "The Secret History of the Mongols" is particularly significant for the study of many aspects of the history of the Mongol Empire. Scholars from around the world continue to collaborate to uncover the secrets of this source. An important result of this collaborative effort was the publication of "The Secret History of the Mongols" in Belarusian, prepared thanks to the long-term work of Belarusian scholar Vladimir Kulikovich and presented at the conference.

This Belarusian-language publication not only promotes and popularizes the Belarusian language in the global cultural space but also opens a new chapter in the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Mongolia and the Republic of Belarus in the Eurasian region.

We sincerely hope that readers, by accessing this invaluable historical source in their native Belarusian language, will be able to embark on a fascinating journey through the history of the 8th-14th centuries, gain a deeper understanding of the life and deeds of the Great Khan Genghis Khan and his successors who founded the Mongol Empire, and also become imbued with the rich culture, traditions, and customs of the Mongolian people. In this regard, "The Secret History of the Mongols" will prove an invaluable guide.

- Mr. Ambassador, please share some of the plans for Belarusian-Mongolian cooperation for 2026.

- I would especially like to emphasize the importance of coordinating the development plans of the two countries. In this context, we strive to coordinate the Main Development Directions of Mongolia for 2026-2030 and the Program for the Socioeconomic Development of Belarus for 2026-2030, which was adopted during the second session of the Seventh All-Belarusian People's Assembly.It is important to mutually open the markets of the two countries and create bilateral participation in large construction projects.

I believe the Interim Trade Agreement between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union and its member states should serve to expand trade between the two countries and reduce the trade imbalance that has persisted for many years. The parties should pay special attention to the practical implementation of the agreement and its promotion among entrepreneurs. The Embassy will work on this. 

I would like to point out that processed cashmere exports in the first 10 months of 2025 reached $244.1 million (2,976 tons), which is $191 million (2,433.8 tons), or 4.6 times, more than in the same period last year. We are exploring the possibility of supplying Mongolian wool, cashmere, and processed leather to Belarus for the production of finished products using Belarusian technology and know-how in order to enter the Eurasian Economic Union market, which has a population of over 180 million, relying on Belarus's free economic zones.

We will provide comprehensive support for the participation of young scientists from both countries in joint projects during the project selection process, which is organized annually by the scientific and technical foundations of both countries.

We are working to increase the quota for training under the Belarusian scholarship system for Mongolian citizens and for training personnel in such important professions as veterinary medicine, plant production, agricultural maintenance, mining equipment, forestry machinery and equipment, reforestation, and plant breeding.

Ahead of the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission, we will intensify the implementation of measures outlined in the roadmaps for the development of cooperation between Mongolia and the Republic of Belarus in 2024-2026, including in the agricultural and industrial sectors, education, and scientific and technical cooperation.

I am confident that 2026 will be even more vibrant with bilateral events and a proactive year for advancing Belarusian-Mongolian trade and economic cooperation.

Alina GRISHKEVICH,
BELTA.