International
Steinmeier in Mongolia: Younger generations win
Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, Prime Minister of Mongolia (l), and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. About one in a hundred Mongolians speaks German – also because many Mongolians studied or worked in the GDR. photo
© Britta Pedersen/dpa
Germany and Mongolia have sealed a strategic partnership. Federal President Steinmeier is particularly relying on the young generation to put words into action.
On Wednesday, Germany and Mongolia sealed a strategic partnership. This will take the long-standing relationships to a new level, which will include many cooperation projects. This is in the interests of both countries: Mongolia, a parliamentary democracy, is geographically sandwiched between its two authoritarian neighbors, Russia and China. The country is trying to broaden its international relations – politically and economically. Germany is also pursuing the goal of repositioning itself as a result of its move away from Russia and a reassessment of China’s role.
With an area of 1.5 million square kilometers, Mongolia is about four times larger than Germany, but only has 3.3 million inhabitants. About one in a hundred Mongolians speaks German – also because many Mongolians studied or worked in the GDR.