Mongolia celebrates 10th anniversary of int'l peacekeeping

ULAN BATOR, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia on Sunday staged a series of activities here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

Mongolia's contribution to international peacekeeping has greatly improved the country's global reputation, said Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj at a ceremony.

Today the Mongolian military have become an international army, added the president, who is also commander in chief of Mongolian armed forces.

During the last 10 years, Mongolia sent over 5,000 soldiers and military officers to 14 international peacekeeping operations, said Mongolian Defense Minister Jadambaa Enkhbayar.

A Mongolian motorized infantry battalion of 850 soldiers is currently in South Sudan to carry out a UN peacekeeping mission, he said, adding that Mongolia's active participation in UN peacekeeping accords with the country's national security concept and foreign policy.

Sezin Sinanoglu, UN representative in Mongolia, lauded the country's involvement, noting that compared to Mongolia's population, the country's contribution to UN peacekeeping missions is "extraordinary."

In April, the Mongolian government designated May 29th as the Day of Mongolian Peacekeepers, which falls on the same day with the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.