Mongolia and Switzerland have recently inked a significant visa-free deal for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The agreement, signed by Mongolian Foreign Minister Damdin Tsogtbaatar and Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis during Cassis's historic visit to Mongolia, enhances diplomatic ties and facilitates greater mobility between the two nations.

Key Agreement Details

• Visa-Free Entry: Mongolian holders of diplomatic and official passports can now enter Switzerland visa-free, fostering easier diplomatic exchanges and cooperation.
• Historic Visit: This marks the first visit by a Swiss minister to Mongolia since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1964, highlighting the importance of the agreement in strengthening bilateral ties.
• Purpose of the Visit: Federal Councillor Cassis and Foreign Minister Tsogtbaatar discussed a wide range of issues during their meeting, emphasizing the mutual commitment to strengthen cooperation between Switzerland and Mongolia.

Talks on Bilateral Cooperation

During their meeting, both ministers discussed a wide array of topics, emphasizing the need to fortify cooperation between Switzerland and Mongolia. This visit marks the first time a Swiss minister has visited Mongolia, signifying the mutual commitment to expanding their diplomatic relations.

Visa Statistics

• Mongolian Passport Holders: Before this agreement, Mongolian passport holders could visit 55 countries visa-free, with limited access to European countries. This visa-free deal enhances their diplomatic mobility.
• Swiss Passport Holders: Swiss passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 176 countries, making it the fifth most powerful passport globally.

Additional Agreement: Readmission of Mongolian Nationals

• Second Agreement: Tsogtbaatar and Cassis also signed an agreement in Ulaanbaatar regarding the readmission of Mongolian nationals residing in Switzerland without legal permission.
• Impact: This agreement aims to address the situation of around one hundred Mongolians living in Switzerland without proper authorization, emphasizing the responsible management of immigration.

Other Meetings and Engagements

• High-Profile Meetings: Federal Councillor Cassis met with Mongolian Finance Minister Chimed Khurelbaatar and President Battulga Khaltmaa during his visit.
• Project Visit: Cassis visited projects supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and witnessed firsthand the renovation work planned for 20 schools and kindergartens through a Swiss initiative.

Conclusion

The visa-free agreement between Mongolia and Switzerland for diplomatic and official passport holders signifies a positive step in diplomatic relations and showcases the commitment to fostering stronger ties. Additionally, the readmission agreement reflects a responsible approach to immigration matters. 

Federal Councillor Cassis's visit further underlines the significance of the agreements and highlights the collaborative efforts between the two nations in various sectors, including development projects supported by Switzerland in Mongolia.

FAQ

1. What does the visa-free deal between Mongolia and Switzerland entail?

The agreement between Mongolia and Switzerland allows holders of diplomatic and official passports from Mongolia to enter Switzerland without a visa requirement. This initiative aims to promote greater mobility and strengthen diplomatic ties between the two nations.

2. When was the deal signed and by whom?

The visa-free agreement was signed during the visit of Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to Mongolia. Mongolian Foreign Minister Damdin Tsogtbaatar and Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis inked the agreement.

3. Why is this agreement significant for diplomatic relations?

This deal marks the first visit of a Swiss minister to Mongolia since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1964, emphasizing the growing importance of their diplomatic ties and the mutual commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.

4. How many countries can Mongolian passport holders currently access without visas?

As per the 2018 Henley Passport Index, Mongolian passport holders have visa-free access to 55 countries. However, within Europe, they have visa-free access only to Belarus, Russian Federation, Serbia, and Ukraine.

5. What impact does this agreement have on Mongolian nationals in Switzerland?

In addition to the visa-free deal, an agreement on the readmission of Mongolian nationals residing in Switzerland without legal permits was also signed. This agreement highlights Mongolia's commitment to repatriate its nationals living unlawfully in Switzerland, affecting around one hundred individuals among the Mongolian community residing there.