Mr President,
Mr Chairman,
Prime Minister,
Members of Parliament,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a very great honour for me to be able to speak to you today, to be the first German head of government ever to speak before the Mongolian Parliament, the State Great Hural.

Mongolia has always had a gripping fascination for us Germans. Despite being so far apart geographically, our peoples have always cultivated contacts and exchange. Before Germany’s reunification, there were thousands of Mongolian students and skilled workers living in the GDR, who had come there through vocational training and education programmes. Those Mongolians inspired in us a deep affinity and friendship with your country. They were the people who shaped the Germans’ idea of Mongolia.

As I see it, ladies and gentlemen, there have been two key phases that have made Mongolia what it is today. The first was the Pax Mongolica in the 13th and 14th centuries, when stable social, cultural and economic conditions as well as religious tolerance granted the Mongol Empire long years of inner peace. The second key phase coincided with the democratic revolutions in the former Eastern Bloc in 1989 and 1990.

That was when we Germans took to the streets for freedom and unity in what was then the GDR. Today, our country is reunited. During that same time, and driven by that same desire for freedom, the people of Mongolia successfully fought for democracy, rule of law and human rights. Mongolia undertook the transition from a communist system to a multi-party democracy. We Germans profoundly respect the people of Mongolia for taking that step. There is a deep bond between our two countries and peoples, created by that shared experience of historic change.

Ladies and gentlemen, the revolutions in the Arab world this year have demonstrated yet again that participation in politics and society should never be the exclusive privilege of a small group. In a state which respects the rule of law, the citizens cannot be excluded from their freedoms and rights. It is our duty to give citizens a share in the prosperity and resources our countries enjoy. As a parliamentary democracy guided by liberal-democratic principles, Mongolia is an important role model within Central Asia. Let me therefore encourage you to remain firm in the constant pursuit of democracy. In that respect, the discussions about electoral reform that you are engaging in at the moment could be an important step towards better representation in the national Parliament.

As we Germans have discovered to our cost in the past - democracy is not something that can be taken for granted. It needs strong institutions, it needs strong rule of law and, above all else, it needs courageous citizens to live it and defend it day to day. Democracy is sustained by respect for universal human rights. With that in mind, I expressly welcome Mongolia’s decision to stop enforcing the death penalty. This is another area where Mongolia is setting an example within Asia. Let me encourage you to go one step further and abolish the death penalty for good.

Ladies and gentlemen, democracy in Mongolia has major challenges to face. Your country’s wealth of natural resources brings with it considerable potential for growth and prosperity. At the same time, it places a duty on the Government and on the Parliament to see that the profits from that sector reach as many people as possible. If things are to be sustainable, it is essential to consider future generations and channel investment into education, healthcare and viable infrastructure. Germany stands ready to provide Mongolia with what support we can.

We are a trustworthy business partner for Mongolia, very much interested in seeing it develop sustainably. It is for this reason that my delegation includes representatives from companies which can contribute sustainable solutions for the development of Mongolia’s infrastructure. I am particularly pleased that we signed an Agreement today on setting up a raw materials partnership between Germany and Mongolia. With that, I am certain, we have laid the foundations of a long-term partnership in the energy and raw materials sector which will be to the benefit of both our countries.

Ladies and gentlemen, historical bonds and enhanced economic and development cooperation are pillars of the close and friendly relations that exist between Germany and Mongolia. Our cooperation covers bilateral issues and more. Our thoughts as we collaborate are with the younger generation. For instance, young academics from Mongolia - as was agreed today - will in future take part in the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meetings. The Gerda Henkel Foundation is also doing sterling work promoting historical and archaeological research in the Orkhon valley.

Our belief in the values of freedom and democracy that we share also obliges us to stand up for those values around the world. We do so with success - in the United Nations, NATO and the OSCE, as elsewhere. As we speak, German and Mongolian troops are standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight for peace and security in Afghanistan. In Feyzabad in Northern Afghanistan, our troops share responsibility for reconstruction in a dangerous environment. Let me say how grateful I am to Mongolia for increasing its commitment this year.

Ladies and gentlemen, I look forward with confidence to continuing to develop all these areas of our cooperation and, in so doing, further deepening the bonds of our far-reaching partnership. You have my very best wishes for the future. Thank you.