Mongolia’s Contemporary Foreign Policy and its Challenges

Contemporary Mongolia’s foreign policy began in the 1990s. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Mongolia conducted its independent foreign policy. The primary foreign policy goal has been strengthening its national security and national interest and restoring its ruined economy. In 1992, Mongolia adopted its new Constitution, which set the path of Mongolia’s national security stance and foreign policy vision. In 1994, Mongolia adopted two important documents: National Security Concept and Foreign Policy Concept, which have built the scope of Mongolia’s vision on the international arena and tackling challenges coming from the external environment. From this perspective, the focus of the foreign policy of Mongolia is to have friendly and balanced relationships with two neighbouring countries bearing in mind the interests of its neighbours. This paper aims to study the contemporary foreign policy of Mongolia and its facing challenges. Within this frame, this research paper consists of four parts. The first part is the introduction, the second part contains contemporary foreign policy based on national security concept and foreign policy concept, which are the milestones of Mongolia’s foreign policy direction. As one of the unique approaches, historical and geographical factors should also be considered in the case of Mongolia. Taking into consideration Mongolia’s specific geographic location, it has been facing challenges, particularly, in the Northeast Asia region that have to be solved timely. Therefore, the third part will be external challenges facing Mongolia. As a landlocked country bordering both Russia and China, Mongolia’s primary policy is to have a balanced relationship with two neighbours. Thus, the fourth part contains the contemporary relationship of Mongolia with its two neighbours.