Milestones of Russia–Mongolia Scientific and Humanitarian Cooperation Revisited: Celebrating the Centenary of Diplomatic Relations

Introduction. The study analyzes the development of humanitarian ties between the Soviet Union (Russia) and the Mongolian People’s Republic (Mongolia). The work focuses on processes of cultural, scientific and educational cooperation between the countries, provides insight into main mechanisms and areas of interaction over the century of official diplomatic relations. Goals. The article aims at performing a brief analysis of the legal framework for the implementation of mutual relations in the humanitarian sphere, as well as at identifying key stages in the development of cultural and educational contacts, which is of utmost importance in terms of creating strong ties between nations. Materials and methods. The study examines legal sources, publications, and scientific literature. Results. Ultimately, the paper determines main stages in the development of cultural and scientific cooperation, outlines objective reasons to have caused the cooling in relations between the countries after the collapse of the USSR. Despite the successor states of the USSR and the MPR were desperately seeking to distance themselves from the Socialist past and ideological foundations in the 1990s, the cultural essentials did not undergo any crucial reassessment of previous achievements. In the 2000s and onwards, a new stage in the development of relations between the Russian Federation and Mongolia has begun. The contemporary nature of interaction has reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. One of the important markers characterizing the level and conditions of bilateral relations is the essential number of scientific events held as part of the centenary celebrations. The work highlights main contradictions that arise between countries under current conditions, though shows those contradictions are not actually systemic by nature. Conclusions. So, the study presents key prospects for the implementation of joint projects aimed at developing scientific and humanitarian cooperation that lay sound foundations of mutual relations. A special role therein was once played by professional training of Mongolia’s citizens at Soviet universities.

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