Daily Business News Mongolia

(31-10-2008)
Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar greets President Nguyen Minh Triet in the capital Ulaanbaatar. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang
Vietnamese and Mongolian presidents witness the signing of a memorandum of undertanding on economic co-operation between Viet Nam’s Industry and Trade Ministry and Mongolia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. — VNA/VNS Nguyen Khang

ULAANBAATAR — Viet Nam and Mongolia have not only agreed to strengthen their traditional friendship, but also to develop economic ties, which remain modest.
This was decided during the talks between visiting Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet and his Mongolian counterpart, Nambaryn Enkhbayar, in the Mongolian capital yesterday.

The leaders said economic ties had so far failed to match the development of political relations, nor had they lived up to the potential and demand of the two countries.

The two discussed the present situation in their countries and exchanged views on matters relating to bilateral ties - and a range of regional and international issues.

They said that despite their distance from each other, the people of the two nations had always been close to one another since diplomatic relations were established diplomatic ties more than 50 years ago.

In particular, they said, in recent years, a regular exchange of visits by high-ranking officials had helped increase mutual understanding and created new momentum for the development of ties.

The two presidents unanimously agreed to maintain the tradition of exchanging visits by high-ranking delegations, as well as delegations at the ministerial and local levels to cement and advance the friendship.

The two governments have encouraged enterprises in their countries to actively seek opportunities of co-operation in areas serving their mutual strengths.

The Mongolian side said it welcomed Vietnamese businesses willing to invest in mineral exploitation, urban infrastructure, agricultural products processing and pharmaceutical production.

The two sides agreed to co-operate in addressing the issue of transport to facilitate the exchange of goods so that two-way trade could be increased to US$10 million by 2010.

They also agreed to increase cultural exchanges to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, as well as co-ordination and mutual support at regional and international organisations and forums.

Confirming Viet Nam was one of its closest friends, the Mongolian president hoped that Viet Nam would become a bridge for increased co-operation between Mongolia and Southeast Asian countries.

President Triet announced that Viet Nam would present 1,000 tonnes of rice and ambulances worth a total of $300,000 to the people of Mongolia. Viet Nam also agreed to sell 20,000 tonnes of rice to Mongolia at its original price.

The Mongolian President said he placed great value on the Vietnamese visit, saying that it would strengthen friendship and co-operation.

President Triet invited President Enkhbayar to visit Viet Nam again in the future and the Mongolian leader accepted.

Following the talks, the Vietnamese and Mongolian leaders witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on economic and industrial co-operation between Viet Nam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Mongolia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Later, President Enkhbayar said the Vietnamese leader’s visit was a new milestone.

The two leaders agreed to raise bilateral ties in economics, trade and investment to the same level as their current political relationship.

Afterwards, President Triet met the Chairman of the Mongolian Parliament, Damdin Demberel, and the first Deputy Prime Minister, Norovyn Altanhuyag.

President Triet expressed pleasure at seeing the beauty of Mongolia and witnessing the outstanding achievements its people had made.

He told Demberel and Altanhuyag of the results of his talks with President Enkhbayar and discussed a range of measures to promote Viet Nam-Mongolia friendship and co-operation.

The Mongolians confirmed that their parliament and government would strive to expand its co-operation with Viet Nam.

President Triet and his delegation also visited senior secondary school No 14 in Ulaanbaatar. He praised the school’s achievements, noting that it was named after President Ho Chi Minh, who laid the foundation for Viet Nam-Mongolian relations.

He said the school was a wonderful manifestation of the two countries’ friendship as he presented it with 20 computers, 10 printers and $50,000.

President Enkhbayar and his wife hosted a banquet in honour of President Triet, his wife and the other Vietnamese guests. — VNS

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