Germany, Mongolia seek to develop commodity trade
ULAN BATOR — Germany and Mongolia signed a deal on Thursday aimed at developing exports of coal, copper and other commodities, as the vast Asian country opens its huge reserves to foreign investors.
German chancellor Angela Merkel, the first leader of an advanced industrialised country to visit in six years, said Europe's biggest economy wanted to forge a "long-term partnership" with the resource-rich nation.
"There is plenty more potential for economic cooperation between our two countries to grow," the German chancellor told journalists in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator after meeting the president and prime minister.
"I presented Germany as a partner that was keen to develop a durable and equitable long-term relationship."
Merkel, in Mongolia with a large business delegation, said the framework agreement signed Thursday -- details of which would be fleshed out in the coming months -- would include rare earths and copper.
German firms had said they were keen to conclude agreements in Mongolia on rare earths, substances that are critical for the manufacturing of items including iPods, low-emission cars, wind turbines and missiles.
Merkel said Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold had expressed interest in German technology relating to the exploration of copper and other minerals including rare earths.
Mongolia is hoping to stimulate growth and pull people out of poverty in the mineral-rich but still underdeveloped country and Batbold said German technology would allow his country to develop its fast-growing economy.
"We don?t want to export just raw materials. German technology will help us develop our resources," he said at a joint press conference with Merkel.
"I am very happy that we have made agreements in mining and development. We especially appreciate high-quality German technology."
The German chancellor, who arrived in Ulan Bator late Wednesday from Vietnam, is the first leader of a G7 country to visit Mongolia since former US president George W. Bush in 2005.
During her visit, German firms including mining giant BBM Operata and engineering company Siemens signed deals to develop Mongolia's Tavan Tolgoi, the world's largest untapped coal deposit.
The chancellor's visit came weeks after Germany's courts released a top Mongolian security official extradited from Britain to Germany on suspicion of kidnapping a crime suspect.
Bat Khurts was freed last month after German prosecutors lifted a custody order. He was accused of kidnapping a Mongolian murder suspect and abducting him from Germany in May 2003.
His extradition to Germany sparked anger in Ulan Bator, which accused Britain of luring Khurts to London to arrest him.
Merkel began her Asian trip in Vietnam after holding weekend talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy aimed at calming Europe's economic storm.
On Wednesday the German chancellor predicted a eurozone bailout fund would be ratified this month despite rejection by Slovakia, and said all of Europe must help fight the crisis. Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved.
German chancellor Angela Merkel, the first leader of an advanced industrialised country to visit in six years, said Europe's biggest economy wanted to forge a "long-term partnership" with the resource-rich nation.
"There is plenty more potential for economic cooperation between our two countries to grow," the German chancellor told journalists in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator after meeting the president and prime minister.
"I presented Germany as a partner that was keen to develop a durable and equitable long-term relationship."
Merkel, in Mongolia with a large business delegation, said the framework agreement signed Thursday -- details of which would be fleshed out in the coming months -- would include rare earths and copper.
German firms had said they were keen to conclude agreements in Mongolia on rare earths, substances that are critical for the manufacturing of items including iPods, low-emission cars, wind turbines and missiles.
Merkel said Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold had expressed interest in German technology relating to the exploration of copper and other minerals including rare earths.
Mongolia is hoping to stimulate growth and pull people out of poverty in the mineral-rich but still underdeveloped country and Batbold said German technology would allow his country to develop its fast-growing economy.
"We don?t want to export just raw materials. German technology will help us develop our resources," he said at a joint press conference with Merkel.
"I am very happy that we have made agreements in mining and development. We especially appreciate high-quality German technology."
The German chancellor, who arrived in Ulan Bator late Wednesday from Vietnam, is the first leader of a G7 country to visit Mongolia since former US president George W. Bush in 2005.
During her visit, German firms including mining giant BBM Operata and engineering company Siemens signed deals to develop Mongolia's Tavan Tolgoi, the world's largest untapped coal deposit.
The chancellor's visit came weeks after Germany's courts released a top Mongolian security official extradited from Britain to Germany on suspicion of kidnapping a crime suspect.
Bat Khurts was freed last month after German prosecutors lifted a custody order. He was accused of kidnapping a Mongolian murder suspect and abducting him from Germany in May 2003.
His extradition to Germany sparked anger in Ulan Bator, which accused Britain of luring Khurts to London to arrest him.
Merkel began her Asian trip in Vietnam after holding weekend talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy aimed at calming Europe's economic storm.
On Wednesday the German chancellor predicted a eurozone bailout fund would be ratified this month despite rejection by Slovakia, and said all of Europe must help fight the crisis. Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved.
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