Bridges in the past, bridges in the future

H.E. Mr. Budragchaa Dash-Yondon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia

H.E. Mr. Budragchaa Dash-Yondon was born on February 17, 1946, in Hubsugulski Aymak, Mongolia. He graduated from the Faculty of History of the Mongolian State University and completed a post-graduate course at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Kiev State University. Lecturer in philosophy, MA, professor. He has published 2 monographs, 3 brochures, over 40 articles. Translated from Russian into Mongolian 8 monographs of eminent foreign philosophers and historians. Until 1997 occupied a party post. Then he was political adviser of the President of Mongolia. Since 2001 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Bulgaria. Married, four children.

Your Excellency, would you outline the current state of Bulgaria-Mongolia relations, the level of political, economic and cultural contacts?
If we compare the modern international and economic status as well as the geographic location of our two countries, we can say that their interrelations are entering a new, higher stage of development.

New conditions for renewal of relations were created with the visit of the President of the Republic of Mongolia Natsagiyn Bagabandi to Bulgaria in 2001 and of the Chairman of the 39th National Assembly Prof. Ognyan Gerdjikov to Mongolia in 2002.

These were followed by visits of governmental and parliamentary bodies, represented at all levels in the towns and regions. Agreements were concluded between several ministries. Conventions between the two governments were signed. The sessions of the intergovernmental committees were resumed. A solid basis for the legal relations was built.

The exchange of visits by the foreign ministers had a great contribution to the promotion and expansion of the bilateral relations. Minister Tsend Munh-Orgil paid an official visit to Bulgaria in the end of December last year. Expansion of the relations also started in the economic and cultural sector. I hope that the activities planned to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries will play an important role for the further enhancement of cultural ties.

Our countries are co-actors on the international scene, too. The most recent evidence is the active support, which Bulgaria as an OSCE member and Chairman-in-Office rendered Mongolia to receive the status of partner for joint cooperation in this organization. On its part, our country is also ready to support Bulgaria with similar actions.

What are the imminent intentions of your government and of the Mongolian Embassy in Bulgaria for the development of the bilateral contacts? Here we should note that in the recent past there were many Mongolian university students in Bulgaria. Some of them are now among the elite of your country: in the executive power, in the economy, science and culture.
The Agreement of Cultural Cooperation between Mongolia and Bulgaria was concluded in 1957. On this basis, since 1957 Bulgaria started training Mongolian students. Since then hundreds have obtained their education here and occupy positions in many different sectors in Mongolia. Most of them practice their profession.

Unfortunately, the students and postgraduates trained under the Agreement for Cooperation in the Field of Culture, Education and Science 2001-2005, signed between the two governments, are very few. The number of Mongolian students trained in Bulgaria is growing mainly in the field of music.

The invigoration of bilateral relations is not only the concern of the Mongolian government, both countries are taking steps to pool their efforts together. An important role among them will have the initiatives to mark the anniversary of diplomatic relations, which will give impetus to future joint work.

The Mongolian side will give attention to the opportunities for attraction of Bulgarian investments in the food industry, agriculture and mining, as well as tourism.

I seize the opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all officials and specialists from the numerous political, cultural, scientific and information institutions, who have an input in the development and expansion of Mongolia-Bulgaria relations in the new social conditions.