French President Emmanuel Macron made history in March 2019 when he became the first French president to visit Mongolia. The visit was significant for a number of reasons, including the fact that it was aimed at strengthening ties between France and Mongolia, as well as exploring opportunities for cooperation in a number of areas, including rare earths and Ukraine.
One of the main reasons for Macron’s visit to Mongolia was to discuss the country’s vast reserves of rare earths. Rare earths are a group of 17 elements that are used in a wide range of high-tech products, including smartphones, electric cars, and wind turbines. Mongolia is home to some of the world’s largest deposits of rare earths, and Macron’s visit was aimed at exploring ways in which France could work with Mongolia to develop these resources.
During his visit, Macron met with Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga and other government officials to discuss the potential for cooperation in the rare earths sector. The two leaders signed a number of agreements aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries, including a memorandum of understanding on rare earths cooperation.
Macron’s visit to Mongolia also focused on Ukraine, which has been a major source of tension between Russia and the West in recent years. France has been a key player in efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, and Macron’s visit to Mongolia was seen as an opportunity to discuss the issue with Mongolian officials.
During his visit, Macron met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who was also in Mongolia for a state visit. The two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, as well as ways in which France and Mongolia could work together to support Ukraine’s efforts to reform its economy and strengthen its democratic institutions.
Overall, Macron’s historic visit to Mongolia was seen as a significant step forward in strengthening ties between France and Mongolia, as well as exploring opportunities for cooperation in a number of areas. The focus on rare earths and Ukraine highlights the importance of these issues in the global economy and geopolitical landscape, and suggests that France is committed to playing a leading role in addressing these challenges.
