Mongolia Brief April 4, 2014

Mongolian Ambassador Works in San Marino

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) Ambassador Concurrent and Non-resident of Mongolia to San Marino Sh.Odonbaatar worked in San Marino March 1-2.

During his working visit, the Ambassador attended a presidential oath-taking ceremony and held meetings with public officials.

Mr Odonbaatar also met with Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Pasquale Valentini to explore ways to stimulate bilateral relations and cooperation in economy, education, culture and tourism.

After the meeting, the sides signed a cooperation memorandum between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. 

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Health Deputy Minister Works in Gobi-Altai

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) Health Deputy Minister J.Amarsanaa worked in this province from March 26 to April 2.

Mr Amarsanaa visited medical organizations to witness health care operations, attended an opening of a medical diagnosis center where he noted that this center will save money and time of patients who used to go to Ulaanbaatar to get medical treatment and examination.

The Deputy Minister also checked every death occurred in the province within 2013-2014 to verify if there were any medical malpractice cases.

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Speaker Visits Institute of Finance and Economics

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) The Parliament Speaker Z.Enkhbold Thursday visited the Institute of Finance and Economics, one of the largest educational institutions of Mongolia.

This visit has been arranged in frames of the 90th anniversary of the Institute's establishment marked this year. At a meeting with students Mr Z.Enkhbold delivered an "Internationally recognized professional degree--Its value" lecture and then ran a free talk with them. After this he visited newly-extended auditoriums of the Institute. 

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Minister S.Oyun Visits Czech Republic

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) Mongolia’s Minister of Environment and Green Development Ms S.Oyun paid a visit to the Czech Republic from March 30 to April 2 by invitation of her counterpart Mr Richard Brabec.

Our Minister held meetings with Mr Jan Kriz, the Deputy Minister of Environment; Mr Robin Bohnisch, chairman of the Standing committee on environment of the Representative House, and members of this committee. The sides concluded a present situation of the Mongolia-Czech relations and cooperation, shared views on environment conservation, rehabilitation, green development issues, investments, energy, urban development, and touched upon ways of promoting outcome of developmental cooperation assistance.

The parties agreed to involve Mongolians in a short-term training on forestry in frames of collaboration in environmental sector.

Ms Oyun also held a roundtable meeting with officials of those organizations implementing some projects within the Czech Developmental Cooperation Programme. They focused on ways of cooperating in the environmental sector. Then she attended a press conference on implementation of the project on acclimatizing back Takhi (Przewalski's horse) in Mongolian territories.

The Minister also legged an administration center of transporting pipelines of oil, Forestry Academy, School of Natural Sciences at Charles University in Prague.

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DP Members Present Smart City Program

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) At the "4-11" meeting with journalists on Thursday, members of the Democratic Party (DP) informed them about a "Smart City" program initiated by the Capital city administration.

As a support to the "Mongolian 2020" action plans of DP and the "From Big Government to Smart Government" initiative of the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj, the city administration decided to develop the Smart City program in 2014-2020 with missions to make the capital city "smart" and more "livable" by introducing development tendency and advanced technological solutions and innovations of new-era metropolises.

The program consists of six parts designated to cultivation of smart urban tendencies for governance, economy, residents, services, environment and lifestyle. 

Under the program, the city administration will develop good governance to render fair, prompt and affordable services to the city residents and to make the city business-friendly and corruption-free, say city officers. "The program targets to speed up city public services by 50%-90% and to reduce crimes by 20%".

Present at the meeting were DP Secretary-General Ts.Oyundari, Capital city Citizens Representatives Khural Chairperson D.Battulga and others.

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City Administration to Establish University

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) The Capital city Mayor E.Bat-Uul has issued an ordinance to establish an Ulaanbaatar-owned university.

The decision to set up a university named after the city follows a worldwide practice of metropolitan cities to have a university named after them.

There is S.Korea-invested ‘Ulaanbaatar’ university in the city. It is still unclear how to solve the name similarity in case the proposed capital city-owned Ulaanbaatar University is established.

A working group responsible for preliminaries of the university project will introduce their actions within the second quarter of 2014 to the City Board Meeting.

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National Medical Seminar Runs

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) A national medical seminar themed “Improved responsibility of technologists and medical staff in ensuring safe blood supply" ran here April 1-4.

With a support of the Global Fund, the meeting was organized by the National Blood Transfusion and Research Center /NBRC/. The action gathered all related medical specialists and staffers from 26 regional blood centers and the NBRC. They discussed operations of blood centers and further actions, received the latest information about high tech, newly introduced in blood research, and international experience.

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Mongolians to Compete in Badminton World Championship

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) Mongolians are planning to attend the 2014 Badminton World Federation (BWF) Junior Championships in Alor Setar, Malaysia this April 7-18.

The young team these days are preparing for this event in Malaysia, together with teams of other countries. Our team includes players from provinces such as Dornod, Arkhangai and Orkhon.

The BWF World Junior Championships (also known as the World Junior Badminton Championships) is a tournament organized by the BWF to crown the best in the world junior badminton players (under-19).

Asian players particularly from China, S.Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia have been dominating the individual and mixed team events of the championship since its first edition in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1992.

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Mongolia Mining 2014

April 4 (infomongolia.com) The Government of Mongolia is supporting to organize Mongolia Mining 2014 International Mining Oil/Gas Exhibition for three days at the Buyant-Ukhaa Sports Complex in Ulaanbaatar on April 10-12, 2014.

This is the 4th edition of Mongolia Mining Expo and will be yet larger than all previous editions with vast geographic allocation of exhibitors, where over 120 mining suppliers from 22 countries are pledged to participate. Moreover Country Pavilions representing China, Poland, Turkey and UK will be erected, at the same time Mining Forums will be in the Conference room.

Except from traditional mining industry, this year’s expo adds oil industry to its profile to accommodate large number of high profile exhibitors. Organizers decided to move the venue of Mongolia Mining from Misheel Expo Center to much larger Buyant-Ukhaa Sports Complex that offers convenient parking and large outside area.

Mongolia Mining 2014 is by its traditional organizer Minex Co., Ltd jointly with Expo Mongolia Co., Ltd and International Expo Bureau of Mongolia. The Ministry of Mining of Mongolia, Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mineral Authority of Mongolia, Petroleum Authority and Nuclear Energy Agency supports Mongolia Mining, as the most important technological event in the country.

Mining Forums

Mining industry government policies of Mongolia

Who: Ministry of Mining, Mineral Authority of Mongolia

When: 02:00 pm - 03:00 pm, April 10, 2014

Where: Conference Room

Panel members:

- Mr. Ch.Otgochuluu, Director, Strategy and Planning Department, Ministry of Mining

- Mr. G.Altansukh, Chairman, Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia

Topics to be covered:

- Mongolian government policies on mining industry

- Mining and mineral processing related legislation

- Cooperation and investment environment in mining industry of Mongolia

Major mines and projects of Mongolia

Who: Major mining companies of Mongolia (Government owned and with government shares)

When: 10:00 am - 03:00 pm, April 11, 2014

Where: Conference Room

Panel members:

Executives and representatives from some of the country’s major mines will be presenting and attending panel discussions

during these series of meetings.

Topics to be covered:

- Presentations of major mines and projects including Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi coal mine, Oyu Tolgoi, copper and gold mine, Erdenet copper mine, Baganuur and Shivee Ovoo coal mines. Each presentation will take about 20-25 minutes.

Uranium resources, exploration and mining

Who: Nuclear Energy Authority of Mongolia

When: 03:00 pm - 03:30 pm, April 11, 2014

Where: Conference Room

Panel members:

- Mr. N.Tegshbayar, Chairman, Nuclear Energy Authority of Mongolia

- Regional Director, Areva

Topics to be covered:

- Uranium resources, exploration status of Mongolia, and government policies on uranium exploration and mining and nuclear energy sector.

Mongolian mining industry: present status and future potentials

Who: Ministry of Mining, Mineral Authority of Mongolia

When: 10:00 am - 10:30 am, April 12, 2014

Where: Conference Room

Panel members:

- Mr. B.Batkhuu, Director, Policy Implementation Regulation Department, Ministry of Mining

- Mrs. D.Uuriintuya, Deputy Chairman, Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia

- Representative, Mining company of Mongolia

Topics to be covered:

- Current status of Mongolian mineral industry

- Mineral exploration and resources potentials

- Future opportunities on exploration, mining and mineral processing industry

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"Mining Mongolia 2014" to Be Attended by 120 Firms – Montsame, April 4

Second "Mongolia Investment" Conference to Run in New York

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) will hold its second conference on investing in Mongolia following the great success of the first Investing in Mongolia conference.

Regional experts and government officials will discuss the country’s economic outlook and investment potential, executives from Mongolian public and private companies will discuss their businesses.
Mongolia is expected to become one of the world’s fastest growing economies over the next decade thanks to its immense resources and geographically strategic position. According to the IMF, Mongolia’s GDP growth is expected to reach 11.6% in 2014 spurred by new “investor-friendly laws,” development of new mines, and rising demand for commodities, particularly from its largest trading partner, China. The overall improved business environment in Mongolia as well as government initiatives to reform the investment environment will greatly support foreign investments.

S.Javkhlanbaatar, a director of the general foreign investment regulations and registration department at the Ministry of Economic Development of Mongolia will give a keynote address "Investing in Mongolia-New Investment Law". The agenda also features companies in the mining sector, companies on the verge of global growth, and those in the Mongolian financial sector.

The presenting companies include APU JSC, Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC, Golomt Bank, MCS Group, Mongolian Alt Corporation (MAK) LLC (TBC), Mongolia Growth Group and Orchir-Undraa LLC.

About NYSSA

The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) is a leading forum for the investment community. NYSSA's mission is to serve the needs of all members and investment professionals and to educate the investing public.

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Young Musicians to Participate in Int'l Competition

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) Twenty Mongolian young musicians are to take part in the "Nadezhda" international competition in Madrid of Spain this April 27-30.

The event is organized once in four years' period. The children from the Music and choreography college will compete with others in performing music masterpieces playing on piano, on wind, string and folk instruments.

The Mongolian children have highest awards from previous competitions, now they will try their best to grab rights to study in well-known schools.

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Mongolia and Czech Republic collaborate on green development

April 4 (news.mn) Mongolian Minister of Environment and Green Development, S.Oyun paid a visit to the Czech Republic between March 30th and April 2nd on the invitation of the Czech Environment Minister Richard Brabec. 

In the framework of the visit to the Czech Republic, Minister of Environment and Green Development, S.Oyun  had individual meetings with Czech Deputy Environment Minister Jan Kri, and other officials for talks over a wide range of issues including bilateral relations, environmental protection, remediation, green development, investment, energy and the increase of cooperation on urbanization and development. 

Both sides agreed to provide Mongolian environmental staff with short courses in the Czech Republic and for bilateral relations to boost collaboration on the environment. 

Mongolian Minister S.Oyun also expressed her appreciation at a joint press conference where the process of the project for the reintegration of the Przewalski horse in Mongolia was presented in the Czech Capital.

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Fuel leak causes MIAT flight delay

April 4 (news.mn) The MIAT ОМ302А flight that was scheduled to depart from Incheon, South Korea to Ulaanbaatar at 14:50 pm on April 3rd was delayed in Incheon due to technical problems. 

The flight overstay was caused by an aviation fuel leak from the plane’s petroleum tank. Passengers were delivered to hotels for the time that the technical problem fixed to the airplane.

MIAT ОМ302А flight departed from Incheon Airport, South Korea at 07:00 am local time today on April 4th. The flight landed at Chinggis Khaan International Airport at 11:50 am today according to the MIAT service complaints office.

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City Railbus service in June

April 4 (news.mn) “Ulaanbaatar Railway” (UBTZ) has introduced a “Railbus” project, initiated by the City Mayor today on April 4th. When the project is launched in June the 136 seater railbus that can carry 350-400 passengers will become open to the public between 47 minutes routes of Tolgoit-Amgalan and 45 minute route from Amgalan-Tolgoit at 100 km/h. The Railbus will be available at four specific stations on the route three times a day on a single track and six times a day on a double track. 

The City Governor`s Office must free lands for the construction of the second rail track and stations for the Railbus that is designed to carry passengers across Ulaanbaatar city. “Ulaanbaatar Railway” (UBTZ) is implementing the project`s construction, maintenance and restoration with support of the Ulaanbaatar City Governor`s Office. 

A joint task force of the Ulaanbaatar Railway and the City Governor`s Office will be created to implement the scheduled tasks in the coming days. In the first phase of the project, 3 railbuses will run from June 6th on two routes in the City. Having railbuses on routes to Khui doloo khudag and other destinations is the next target. 

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Government of Mongolia Sends Letter to Rio Tinto President Expressing Its Readiness to Use Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mine

April 4 (infomongolia.com) The "30 Minutes with Prime Minister" answer-question with journalists was held in the Government House right after on-line meeting with Governors of Aimags (Provinces) in the Government House on April 03, 2014.

The opposition political party (MPP) blaming that Government’s Action Program has been implementing at only 30%, is it true?

It is not appropriate to chasing numbers, it has been passed only 1 year and 7 months since the establishment of new Government. Actually, the implementation is at its 42.6% and will be configured at the plenary session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) soon to start.

Everyone is buzzing that the country’s economy has been worsening. Is it really complicated or oppositions have been playing a political game? If the economy is rotten, is your Cabinet defining the way out?

Honestly, it is true and I will not oppose. The country’s income has been reduced and it affects by global economy performance that has been showing negative results compare to last year. When global economy is deteriorating, Mongolia’s export mining product prices have been dropped. For example, coal price on world market is lower compare to last year index, but we should not blame that all caused by a low coal price, the Government and Central Bank are collaborating on some issues how to increase the coal export volume. Plus, construction support policy will be started to implement from this spring. Government is paying attention on cashmere value added end-product and such many plans are awaited.

Worried about the economy, meetings and consultations have been organized and it is not condemned, correct. I would say a term - Government’s economy does not exist, instead Mongolia’s economy, therefore we should collaborate to define ways of resolutions. Government is working on some proposals. The spring session begins next week. So that such measures would be carried out in the near future.

On March 02, Finance Minister Ch.Ulaan said the Government is studying a 50,000 banknote would be released by the Central Bank, but you are denying. Whom to trust?

Today, I phoned to the Governor of Bank N.Zoljargal, he said ‘No’, thus it might be rumors.

Economists deem in order to recover the economy, it is necessary to accelerate the Oyu Tolgoi project. What the current negotiations with investors?

Since its establishment of New Government for Changes, authorities have been expressing their positions to hasten Oyu Tolgoi underground mine and readiness. Last week, a letter was sent to the Rio Tinto President citing Mongolia is ready to use underground. But why investors are delaying, it might be explained of worsened global economy, you know, the copper price was dropped for a while. Therefore, the investors are not in a rush.

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Mongolia Establishes Diplomatic Relations with 180^th State of World, Republic of Chad

April 4 (infomongolia.com) Within its aim to establish diplomatic relations with all United Nations member states, Mongolia has established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Chad in New York City on April 03, 2014.

Setting mutual aspirations to develop and strengthen friendly relations and cooperation as a guideline, the two countries agreed to adhere to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the UN Charter and international legal principles and standards.

The Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations, Ambassador Mr. Od OCH and the Permanent Representative of Chad to the United Nations, Ambassador Mr. Mahamat Zene Cherif signed the joint statement to establish diplomatic relations. The joint statement to establish diplomatic relations has been registered at the UN and the Permanent Representatives of Mongolia and Kiribati have sent the statement to the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon in order to inform the UN member countries.

The establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Chad provides better opportunities for both countries to support each other in bilateral and international organizations, moreover parties agreed to grow partnership in economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, besides to set up tasks for collaboration in environment, climate change and sustainable development issues.

As of today, Mongolia has established diplomatic relations with 180 states of the world and the EU.

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Related:

Mongolia Establishes Diplomatic Relations with Republic of Chad – Montsame, April 4

“Prime Minister’s 30 Minutes” Meeting Runs

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) The Prime Minister Thursday held his “30 minutes” weekly meeting with authorities of all aimags in order to give them some directions.

The Premier gave obligations to the localities authorities to urgently commence a construction of 1,000 apartments and to consider his matter with the state construction corporation.

Noting that auto roads will run to six aimags from the city this year, the Premier ordered the aimags to start the construction of these roads this month and said the "Street" project will launch in the aimags’ centers. In the capital city, this project will mainly focus on a highway along the Tuul River and on running roads and streets under the city’s budget, he added.

For supporting employment and starting business, "huge money is allotted from the government to the localities, but I noticed that people in Khentii and Gobisumber aimags do not have a slightest idea about how to get loans," he said and ordered the aimags’ heads to promptly spread information about many foundations that give loans.

Mr Altankhuyag also obliged the localities heads to draw an attention to fire and other disasters prevention.  

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Standing Committee Head Legs Defense Organizations

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) Chairman of the parliamentary Standing committee on security and foreign policy Ts.Oyunbaatar together with N.Enkhbold MP Thursday got au fait with activities of the Ministry of Defense, the General Headquarters of Mongolian Armed Forces (GHMAF) and the University of Defense.

They met with A.Battor, the Vice Minister of Defense, members of the councils of the Defense Minister, and the GHMAF chairman.

A head of the Ministry's Department of Strategic Management and Planning Brigadier-General D.Bayarsaikhan spoke about his organization, and the GHMAF’s head Lieutenant-General Ts.Byambajav briefed on the Armed Forces’ activities.

After this, the Standing committee head legged the Operation Management Center at the GHMAF and the University of Defense. 

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Foreign Ministries Run Consultative Meeting

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain ran a consultative meeting in Ulaanbaatar on Friday.

At the forth consultative meeting co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of Mongolia D.Gankhuyag and State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Spain Gonzalo de Benito, the parties shared views on broad range of issues concerning commercial, economic, educational and cultural bilateral cooperation, as well as international relations.

During the meeting, a cooperation memorandum on the consultative meeting was signed between the two Foreign Ministries. 

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Women MPs Visit Japan

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) A parliamentary delegation led by L.Erdenechimeg, a head of the Group of Women Parliamentarians at the State Great Khural, visited Japan on April 1-3.

They met with Ms Yu.Obuchi, a head of the Standing committee of the House of Representatives of Japanese parliament on education and science, to discuss ways of developing the exchange and collaboration between Mongolian and Japanese women MPs. They also emphasized an importance of the collaboration between the legislative bodies for strengthening the Mongolia-Japan strategic partnership, and agreed that women MPs can contribute to this collaboration.

The delegation said Ulaanbaatar successfully hosted the North East Asian Women Parliamentarians' Forum last year, and thanked Ms Obuchi for sending to its participants congratulatory message. They also considered as necessity to boost a East Asia network of women parliamentarians.

After this the delegation was received by Seiji Kihara, Japan’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and by M.Hayashi, a head of the Japan-Mongolia inter-parliamentary group at the Representative of House. The Japanese side underlined that the countries can develop the Mongolia-Japan cooperation at the bilateral and regional levels, especially the inter-parliamentary exchange, and expressed a satisfaction with creation of a new channel for collaboration of women MPs.

In the parliamentary delegation were M.Batchimeg, R.Burmaa and G.Uyanga MPs.

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‘11 11’ Center Reports

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) This week, ’11 11’ Center of the Government, has been accessed by 823 people.

Students of vocational training centers made complaints about tax deduction for health, social insurance and individual income from their scholarship of 190 thousand togrog. Officials from the Health Ministry made it clear that no tax deduction should be charged for the scholarship that has been granted from the Employment Support Fund to those involved a qualified worker training program of the Government.

Responding to a question about the Government’s employment support program for the people older 40, the center officers explained that the program has been implemented since this February with a goal to support ideas and initiatives and an employment of the middle-aged, and that willing to get involved in this program may apply to a district or province labor department or the Employment services center. 

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MPs Meet WHO Delegation

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) Members of the parliamentary Standing committee on social policy, education, culture and science headed by Su.Batbold Friday received Mr Shing Yong Su, regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Western Coats of Asia-Pacific.

“There is no country that ignores its people’s health. Experiences of many countries have shown that it is important to have an independent body of providing population with high quality, safe and affordable medicines,” Mr Shing emphasized at beginning of the meeting.

He also said China and South Korea have set up their Ministries on regulating medicine consumption in order to refine upon the monitoring over medicine provision, and that some developing nations are providing their people with cheap medicines by rendering discount and exempting them from taxes. “It is important to realize a unified regulation of monitoring and standards,” he added.

Majority of the WHO members have created their independent bodies responsible for regulating the medicine consumption in order to provide their population with safe medical products.

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Agreements Signed for Energy Projects

Ulaanbaatar, April 4 (MONTSAME) Representatives of the Energy Ministry, the Development Bank of Mongolia and contractors signed energy project agreements on Thursday.

In framework of a "New Construction" mid-term program of the Government, eight projects are expected to be realized in 2014 aimed to enhance heating and electricity supply of the capital city.

These projects include facility expansion and capacity enhancement of Amgalan Thermal station, Central Thermal Plant-3 and Central Thermal Plant-4.

The Energy Ministry had made an announcement to make 2014 a year of construction to meet increasing energy demands of the city, in connection with ongoing major projects of the Government such as "Smoke-free Ulaanbaatar" program, ger (national dwelling) district re-planning, and housing program.

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“Steppe Warriors” from Germany to Mongolia

April 4 (infomongolia.com) In the scope of celebration the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Federal Republic of Germany marking in 2014, a series of measures are being organized and one of the cultural events is “Steppe Warriors Culture” exhibition in Ulaanbaatar.

The exhibition will be displaying for the period of two months with free entrance from April 08 in the National Museum of Mongolia, where some rare archaeological items rehabilitated in Germany will be shown. The exhibits feature an unusually well-preserved staffs related to the VII-XIII centuries that have been in recent years discovered in the so-called rock crevice graves in western Mongolia.

In 2005-2010, scholars of Mongolian Academy of Sciences have discovered 6 items from rock crevice graves and sent to LVR Landes museum in Bonn that took three years for restoration works.

The exhibition was first opened at the LVR-Landes Museum in Bonn, Germany between January and April of 2012 and was organized under the auspices of Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, Federal Minister for Education and Research in collaboration with the pre-and Protohistoric Archaeology of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University in Bonn and the Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

Due to the dry and cold climates in Mongolia, ephemeral materials such as wood, textiles, feathers, animal skins and metals have obtained in excellent condition. Reflex bows, quivers, arrows with fletching and riding equipment, but also clothes - including the oldest surviving Filzkaftan - and the oldest stringed instrument in Mongolia, a horse's head harp, show the life of the Eurasian steppe warriors in an unprecedented way.

Mongolia and Germany established diplomatic relations on January 31, 1974.

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Minister L.Bold Attends ISAF Contributing Nations Meeting

April 4 (infomongolia.com) Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia L.Bold attended a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the non-NATO ISAF contributing nations held in Brussels on April 02, 2014, reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.

Addressing the meeting, Minister L.Bold talked about an importance and achievements of the International Security Assistance Force operations in Afghanistan and Mongolia’s contribution to building stability in Afghanistan. Mongolia became the 45th ISAF contributing nation in 2003 when it sent its first artillery training team. Currently, 350 Mongolian servicemen are participating in ISAF operations.

During the ministerial, Minister L.Bold had a bilateral meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General A. Vershbow to share views on issues concerning the bilateral cooperation between Mongolia and NATO as well as projects and programs carried out within Mongolia-NATO partnership.

Besides, Minister L.Bold met his counterparts from Germany, Sweden, Norway and Montenegro and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan.

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Fourth Consultative Meeting between Mongolia and Spain Holds in Ulaanbaatar

April 4 (infomongolia.com) A consultative meeting between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain was held in Ulaanbaatar on April 04, 2014.

This is the fourth consultative meeting and this time Mongolia side was chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister D.Gankhuyag and the other part by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Spain Gonzalo de Benito. The meeting focused on broad range of issues concerning bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, education and culture, bilateral cooperation within international organizations as well as international issues of mutual concern.

During the meeting, a cooperation memorandum was signed between the Foreign Ministries of Mongolia and Spain.

Mongolia and the Kingdom of Spain have established the diplomatic relations on July 05, 1977.

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Best Students Eligible to Receive One Million MNT Scholarships from President and Prime Minister of Mongolia

April 4 (infomongolia.com) At the regular Cabinet meeting held today on April 04, 2014, one of the issues resolved was to approve the regulation on bestowing outstanding students with scholarships under the auspices of the President and Prime Minister of Mongolia.

Following the discussion, Minister of Education, Culture and Science L.Gantumur is obliged to control the implementation of the newly ratified regulation. 

The regulation aims to encourage and develop student’s creativity, new idea, good deeds, talent, knowledge and skills. Full-time students studying for bachelor program at local higher educational institutions such as universities, institutes, colleges and vocational training centers are eligible for the President and the Prime Minister's scholarships and will be selected under specific criteria.

The President’s scholarship of 1 million and 200 thousand MNT will be granted to 30 best students and Prime Minister’s scholarship of one million MNT to 40 students, both awards will be provided two times a year. In other words, 140 students will receive 76 million MNT annually in addition to their monthly stipend of 70 thousand MNT, which is effective since January 2012.

In order to reduce the selection process, it was decided to send recipients’ documents to the Office of President and Cabinet forwarded by the school students union.

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