Mongolia Brief May 22, 2014



Number of Mongolians in Japanese Sumo Reached 28

Wrestlers

May 22 (infomongolia.com) On May 11, 2014, the Natsu Basho or Grand Sumo Summer Tournament was started in Tokyo, and as of today, May 22, the Tournament is ongoing on its 12th day. This month’s completion is distinct, because three Yokozunas are competing same time, which was not recorded since 2001.

The newly promoted Yokozuna Kakuryu is continuing his debut with 8 wins and 3 losses after 11th day, where Yokozuna Hakuho is leading the top Division with 10 wins and 1 loss, and the third Yokozuna Harumafuji is following with 9 wins and 2 losses.
This month, a ranking competition of Mae-zumo for new wrestlers is ongoing, where a Mongolian sumo wrestler Davaanyam NARANTSOGT advanced to be listed in the Jonokuchi Division (lowest division) from the next July Tournament, and is competing under Sadahikari name, thereof the number of Mongolians in sumo is reached 28 wrestlers.
The results of Mongolian sumo wrestlers after 11th day, May 2014 Grand Sumo Summer Tournament
Makuuchi Division
1. East Yokozuna Hakuho - M.Davaajargal 10-1
2. West Yokozuna Harumafuji - D.Byambadorj 9-2
3. East Yokozuna Kakuryu - M.Anand 8-3
4. MW-3 Kyokutenho - N.Tsevegnyam 1-10
5. MW-6 Tamawashi - B.Munkh-Orgil 6-5
6. ME-9 Terunofuji - G.Gan-Erdene 5-6
7. ME-12 Takanoiwa - A.Baasandorj 2-9
8. MW-14 Tokitenku - A.Khuchitbaatar 5-6
9. ME-15 Kyokushuho - T.Erdenebaatar 8-3
10. ME-16 Arawashi - E.Dulguun 6-5
Juryo Division
11. E-1 Azumaryu - S.Todbileg 8-3
12. W-2 Kagamio - B.Nanjid 7-4
13. E-4 Asasekiryu - B.Dashnyam 5-6
14. W-8 Shotenro - D.Nyamsuren 6-5
15. W-10 Ichinojo - A.Ichinnorov 8-3
16. E-12 Sakigake - Ya.Battushig 4-7
17. W-12 Seiro - A.Unubold 9-2
Makushita Division
18. E-10 Chiyoshima - G.Munkhsaikhan 3-2
19. E-11 Gochozan - D.Uuganbaatar 2-4
20. W-13 Sensho - E.Bayarbat 2-3
21. W-25 Ryuonami - B.Buyanjargal 2-3
22. E-30 Takakasuga - E.Enkhmanlai 2-4
23. W-31 Daishoho- R.Shijirbayar 3-3
24. W-34 Oniarashi - U.Ulziijargal 1-4
25. W-59 Aratoshi - V.Tserendorj 2-4
Sandanme Division
26. E-5 Taiga - S.Sharavnyambuu 3-3
27. E-57 Daionami - B.Uuganbayar 3-2
Mae-zumo
28. Sadahikari - D.Narantsogt 1-1


Prime Minister of Mongolia Left Country to Participate in St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2014

May 22 (infomongolia.com) Today on May 22, Mongolian delegates led by the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Mr. Norov ALTANKHUAYG left the country to participate in the International Economic Forum 2014 (SPIEF) to take place in St. Petersburg, the Russian Federation on May 22-24, 2014.
The 2014 SPIEF is focusing on the theme “Sustaining Confidence in a World Undergoing Transformation”, where a wide range of Russian and global businesses will be represented at the Forum, with confirmed participation by 142 heads of major international companies and 419 heads of Russian enterprises. Besides, confirmed participants hail from 68 countries in key regions across the world such as the BRICS countries, the United States, the European Union, the Middle East, Northeast Asia, Australia, and the CIS.
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Mongolia to Partner with Brazilian Educational Sector

May 22 (infomongolia.com) The Governments of Mongolia and the Federative Republic of Brazil have principally negotiated to establish an Intergovernmental Agreement to collaborate in educational sphere that aims to broaden partnership in the sector.
Accordingly, at the regular Cabinet meeting held on May 21, 2014, it was agreed to support the negotiation and resolved to be co-signed the Agreement by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia D.Gankhuyag.
By establishing the document, it allows to implement several programs that aims to strengthen cooperation between the State Universities, to exchange teachers and scholars for vocational trainings reciprocally as well as interaction of information, document, data and implement research activities, including the possibility of mutual recognition of the academic titles.
The Agreement would be valid for the period of five years and appears to be further extended for another five years and so on.
Mongolia and the Federative Republic of Brazil have established the diplomatic relations on June 19, 1987, where the first resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia in Brasilia is appointed Mrs. Chuluunbat SOSORMAA.
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First Mongolia-Thailand Intergovernmental Consultative Meeting to Take Place in Ulaanbaatar

May 22 (infomongolia.com) Due to absence of the Prime Minister of Mongolia these days, who is attending the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2014, the regular Cabinet meeting scheduled on upcoming Saturday was held on Wednesday, May 21, 2014.
At the Cabinet meeting over 10 issues were revised and one of the resolved issues was to organize the First Mongolia-Thailand Intergovernmental Consultative Meeting in Ulaanbaatar on May 27, 2014.
At the Cabinet meeting, it was agreed a guideline of Mongolian representatives to adhere and the State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia G.Tsogtsaikhan is obliged to submit participants at the panel meeting to represent the country.
During an official visit of then Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra to Mongolia to attend the VII Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies held in Ulaanbaatar in April 2013, the bilateral partnership council was established.
In the frameworks, First Mongolia-Thailand Intergovernmental Consultative Meeting is arranged to take place in Ulaanbaatar in the scope of celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two states.  
The First Consultative Meeting is aimed to broaden partnership between the two countries in political, economic, trade, investment, mining, food, agriculture, culture and tourism sectors, after which parties will sign a Protocol on discussed issues.
Mongolia and the Kingdom of Thailand have established the diplomatic relations on March 05, 1974.
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Government Bonds Capital to Support SMEs

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) The Cabinet meeting on Wednesday decided to allot up to 100 billion togrogs from the Government bonds capital to support an import substitution and export promotion projects.
The money are to go to the projects that need less than two billion togrogs funding and have been approved by a commercial bank to receive a soft loan, and will be given to the projects' developers through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund.
Since announcing the import-substitution and export-promotion projects tender, the Government received 131 export-promotion project drafts, 757 import-substitution project drafts and 200 others. The export promotion projects mainly focus on animal and food production (61%), the import substitution projects--on building material production (30%) and food production (26%).
Today, there are 579 industrial project drafts that request financing less than two billion, and the total funding requests of these smaller projects are estimated at 341 billion togrogs.


Landlocked Countries to Meet in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

May 22 (infomongolia.com) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia in cooperation with the Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) will host a high-level international workshop on “WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation: Implications for LLDCs” in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on June 02-03, 2014, the Ministry reports.
UN Deputy Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States Gyan Chandra Acharya, Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry of Zambia Robert Sichinga, Chairman of LLDC Group, Ambassador of Zambia Mwaba Kasese-Bota, LLDC Group Coordinator on Trade and Development, Ambassador to UN in Geneva Juan Esteban Aguirre Martinez stated on their participation in the upcoming event which will bring together representatives of 32 member states of LLDC Group, donors and transit countries as well as about ten international organizations, government agencies, private sectors and civil society.
Agenda of the meeting includes background research paper “Assessment of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation: Implications for the LLDCs”, preparations for Second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries and reflection of LLDCs’ development challenges in post-2015 Development Agenda.
Landlocked Developing Countries
The Second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC) for all Member States is scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria on November 03-05, 2014.
Landlocked Developing Countries face significant challenges associated with their geographical location and in areas such as trade, transport and infrastructure. They are reliant on transit routes provided by neighboring countries and often have to cover vast distances to facilitate import and export. There are 32 Landlocked Developing Countries, 16 of which are located in Africa, 10 in Asia, 4 in Europe and 2 in Latin America. Seventeen of these are also classified as Least Developed Countries by the United Nations.
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Mining Minister appointed as acting Agriculture Minister

May 22 (news.mn) The Minister of Mining, D.Gankhuyag, has been appointed as acting Minister of Industry and Agriculture until the post is filled.
MP and former Minister of Industry and Agriculture, Kh.Battulga, resigned from the post on his own initiative, agreed by the decision of the plenary session meeting of Parliament last week. Friday`s cabinet meeting issued a decision to appoint the Minister of Mining D.Gankhuyag as acting Minister of Industry and Agriculture at the same time on May 16th.
It is uncertain how much time the Government needs to submit the names of nominees for the position to Parliament. The names of the nominees must be discussed in Parliament before the new appointment to the position of Minister can be made.


President returns from Shanghai

May 22 (news.mn) The President of Mongolia, Ts.Elbegdorj, is to return from Shanghai, China after his successfully attendance of the 4th Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on May 20th and 21st. 
The 4th Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) conducted under the theme of increasing dialogue, mutual trust and collaboration to build a new Asia was chaired by China`s President, Xi Jinping.
During the conference, President Ts.Elbegdorj had talks with neighboring leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President V.Putin.
At the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 20th, the two counterparts had talks over bilateral relations on politics and economy, opportunities for enhancing Mongolia-China ties as well as regional cooperation. President Ts.Elbegdorj then called on China`s support for Mongolia`s bid to join APEC and invited Chinese leader Xi Jinping to make an official visit to Mongolia, adding that “the visit would elevate the bilateral relations between Mongolia and China to new level.”
On May 21st, during the meeting with Russian President V.Putin, President Ts.Elbegdorj invited President Putin to the Khalkh Gol anniversary battle celebration in Mongolia and also proposed a suggestion to hold three-party negotiations on railway and transit shipments in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Related:
President Returns Home TodayMontsame, May 22


Mongolia’s Credit Rating in Review

May 22 (Mongolian Economy) As the economy shows subtle signs of decline over the past several months, it is important to look at the credit ratings offered by the Big Three – Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s, and Fitch Group. These three credit rating agencies hold a global market share of approximately 95% collectively, making their ratings a reliable source to seek the stability of the Mongolian economy. While each agency creates their own set of rules for allocating certain ratings, it is useful to take into account of all three to see where Mongolia stands in the global market.
According to S&P, Mongolia received a rating of B+ indicating a stable economy. The rating shows that the economy is somewhat vulnerable to adverse business as well as financial and economic conditions. However, Mongolia still has the capacity to meet financial commitments, expressing the relative opinions of creditworthiness of an issuer or credit quality of the nation. 
Moody’s offered Mongolia a credit rating of B1, which shows stability, keeping in consistency with the rating provided by S&P. A rating of B1 in the long-term means that Mongolia is perceived as being speculative with a high credit risk. In the short-term, it shows that it is not prime, meaning it cannot be determined with accuracy whether or not the nation has the ability to repay short term debt. 
Lastly, the Fitch Group rating gives Mongolia a score of B+, which means that the financial situation varies noticeably. While this indicates the country is in the negative spectrum of things rather than being classified as stable, it is important to note that its ratings fall into sync with the other credit rating agencies. 
Based on Mongolia’s credit ratings, the darling of the global investment community not so long ago, still has the capacity to improve in terms of meeting financial commitments. While the country is still developing over time, the ratings give insight into the stability of the country and to see that Mongolia stands in the middle of the global economy with a vast amount of improvements to make. 


Government of Mongolia Decides to Finance Projects That

Aim to Increase Export Outputs by Purchasing Government

Securities

May 22 (infomongolia.com) At the regular Cabinet meeting held on May 21, 2014, it was resolved to allocate 100 billion MNT (Tugrug) by purchasing Government Securities to finance projects that aim to replace import and increase export outputs.
The fund will be allocated to those projects each requests up to 2 billion MNT from commercial banks and will be financed through Small and Medium Industry Development Fund, where Minister of Economic Development N.Batbayar is entrusted to trade the Government Securities and Development Bank Board Members are permitted to complete the action, moreover, Minister of Labor Ya.Sanjmyatav will be monitoring the project financing and obliged to control the implementation.
In the frameworks of the Government Action Plan, it was cited to support projects that aim to replace import and increase export outputs, thereby, Government accepted a total of 131 projects to support and increase export outputs, and 757 projects to replace import products and another 200 projects in the other fields.
Whereas, 61% of projects to increase export is relevant to processing animal raw materials and food industry, and the 30% of projects to replace imports is regarding to manufacturing of construction materials, and the rest 26% is directed to increase food industry domestically.
Also, there are 579 projects that each requests financing of over 2 billion MNT that estimate a total of 341 billion MNT.


Eznis Airways LLC Announces Its Operation Closure Due to

Financial Difficulties

May 22 (infomongolia.com) On May 22, 2014, Mongolia’s national airline Eznis Airways LLC authorities have made a statement announcing to stop its operation for an uncertain period of time due to the financial difficulties and the current situation at the airline industry, which is effective from the date.
The Eznis Airways LLC airline had been operating since 2006, and in the statement, officials forwarding its appreciation to their staff, passengers, partners and suppliers for cooperation and support.
In addition, the management of the company and the shareholders say the company had done everything during the last two years to survive, to keep positions of their employees and most importantly, to serve the public, but they could not subsidize the financial losses any longer.
The announcement was made by Chief Executive Officer of Newcom LLC, Mr. Baatar UNENBAT at the Eznis Airways headquarter today morning.


Speaker Visits MSUE

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) The Speaker of parliament Z.Enkhbold visited the State University of Education /MSUE/ on Wednesday.
He gave a lecture themed “Education reform and new tendency” to students and teachers after having visited an “English Online Training” center and exhibition.
The Speaker spoke about combination of traditional education system and modern attitude and advised the gathered to get au fait with a free online training of "Khanacademy", a non-profit educational website. "Some 500 million togrogs are allotted for translation fee of this website." he added.
Ending the meeting, Mr Enkhbold answered the students' questions.  


Cabinet Meeting in Brief

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) The cabinet on Wednesday decided to submit to  parliament a decision on proposed amendments to a parliamentary resolution on inclusion of certain deposits to the list of strategic minerals deposits.
- The cabinet also agreed to submit to parliament a draft law on ratification of the loan agreement for Payment system modernization project between the Government of Mongolia and the Asian Development Bank.
- The cabinet approved a seven million euro financing for equipment renovation and human resources capacity building project of the State first clinic which will be carried out under the Intergovernmental Financial Collaboration Treaty between Mongolia and Austria.
- A pact was approved to join the Global Green Growth Institute as a member state, which was signed by Environment and Green Development Minister S.Oyun in Songdo, South Korea on June 9 of 2013.


Health Minister Delivers Speech at World Health Assembly

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) Mongolia’s Minister of Health Ms N.Udval has delivered a speech themed “Climate change and health” at the sixty-seventh session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) which kicked off May 19 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ms Udval underlined an importance of having people and medical staffers gain knowledge and methods on preventing impact of climate change, on reducing risks and ways of adaptation.
In the last 20 years, a frequency in Mongolia of natural disasters such as dzud, heavy winds, floods and droughts has increased five times, she noted. Over 80 percent of soil has been affected by droughts, 14 thousand square meters' areas have been affected by fires, moreover, one river or stream out of three has dried up, posing a danger of water shortage in the country, the Minister emphasized.
She conveyed an appeal of the Mongolian President to the gathered to approve the Development Agenda beyond 2015 for ensuring water safety. The Mongolian leader Ts.Elbegdorj had sounded his appeal during a participation in the 2014 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 


Mongolia’s Flag Rises in Jakarta’s Sky

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) The Embassy of Mongolia in Indonesia has agreed with the Mega Kuningan district administration to rise the national flag of Mongolia at the ceremonial gate of the district.
Our national flag was risen there for the first time on May 19, to become a pleasant add to flags of Indonesia, China, Thailand, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Qatar and Kuwait.
The Embassy of Mongolia was set up on May 12 in Mega Kuningan district of Jakarta, where the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is located neighboring nearly twenty foreign embassies.


Department Head of Health Minister at WHA Committee Meeting

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) Representing the government of Mongolia, a head of the Health Ministry’s Department of Monitoring and Domestic Audit S.Togsdelger took part in a debate on World Health Organization’s (WHO) reforms which ran Wednesday within the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
Noting that Mongolia’s government backs a course of the reforms in the WHO, Togsdelger said  Mongolia has appreciated the WHO Secretariat's upgrading correlation among the WHO regional committees, the Executive Committees and the Assembly.
In order to plan a programme of the WHO and to allocate reserves to countries, the Mongolian delegate highlighted an importance of focusing on the number of low-income and vulnerable people in a country instead of considering the classification of the countries as rich, poor and middle-income. He cited a speech of the WHO Director-General Ms Margaret Chan, saying that the number of those rich and high income nations that full of poor people will be still high in case of not augmenting the budget for health sector despite a high economic growth.
For these reasons, he proposed utilizing the equality indicator as an independent indicator for evaluating countries’ rates.          


Standing Committee Runs Online Meeting with Ambassadors

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) Members of the Standing committee on security and foreign policy had Wednesday an online meeting with Mongolian Ambassadors residing in foreign countries.
The meeting was organized in connection with the establishment of a working group responsible for scrutiny over implementation of the national security and foreign policy principles. It was attended by the chief of the working group D.Demberel MP, members R.Amarjargal and B.Bolor MPs, together with 13 Ambassadors of Mongolia.
Mr Demberel asked the Ambassadors to share views on urgent matters, before noting the establishment of a collaboration agreement with the European Union on issues regarding "Third neighbor" nations. He also complained about the lack of integration in the foreign policies and asked the Ambassador to brief on their activities aiming at protection of rights of students studying abroad.
After the working group leader, B.Bolor MP asked the Ambassadors to update actions taking place under goals to make the foreign policies more economy-oriented.
Ambassador of Mongolia to Japan S.Khurelbaatar talked about difficulty in entering the Japanese market, due to Japan’s overwhelmingly dominant domestic supply to its own market and lower quality of Mongolian products. He then gave pleasant news that one thousand more Mongolian students will be granted scholarships of the Japanese Government to study in Japan.
For making the foreign policies more economy-oriented, the Embassy receives many offers from foreign investors, but keeping firm contact with relevant authorities in Mongolia is not always easy, said Ambassador of Mongolia to Sweden Z.Altai.
Mother language learning of Mongolian children growing in foreign countries has become a significant problem, said Ambassador of Mongolia to Hungary T.Gandi, noting that her request for online mother language lessons for these children has not been answered by the Education and Science Ministry of Mongolia.


Health Minister Meets Vice Minister of Turkey

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Health N.Udval Wednesday met with Dr Erkem Atbakan, the First Vice Minister of Health of Turkey within the 67th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) running in Geneva, Switzerland.
During the meeting, the sides touched upon an issue of developing the Mongolia-Turkey collaboration in reducing a consumption of alcoholic beverages, and then concurred to analyze this matter.
The WHA will continue until May 24.
The WHA is the supreme decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the WHA are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva.


Ransnational Bicycle Travelers to Begin Journey from Baruun-Urt

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) Initiated by Sh.Enkh-Amar, a head of the Shiliin Bogd bicycle travelers club, a so-called ‘Friendship’ bicycle tour is planned to kickoff in eastern Baruun-Urt town on June 1.
Mr Enkh-Amar dedicates this tour to the 20th anniversary of his all-country bicycle tour. Taking start from Baruun-Urt, bicyclists will cover 2,100 km here and 1,500 km in Russian Buryatia. The tour team includes experienced bicyclists from Mongolia and Russian Buryatia.


Eznis Airways LLC Announces Its Operation Closure Due to Financial Difficulties

May 22 (infomongolia.com) On May 22, 2014, Mongolia's national airline Eznis Airways LLC authorities have made a statement announcing to stop its operation for an uncertain period of time due to the financial difficulties and the current situation at the airline industry, which is effective from the date.
The Eznis Airways LLC airline had been operating since 2006, and in the statement, officials forwarding its appreciation to their staff, passengers, partners and suppliers for cooperation and support.
In addition, the management of the company and the shareholders say the company had done everything during the last two years to survive, to keep positions of their employees and most importantly, to serve the public, but they could not subsidize the financial losses any longer.
The announcement was made by Chief Executive Officer of Newcom LLC, Mr. Baatar UNENBAT at the Eznis Airways headquarter today morning.
Related:
Eznis Airways suspends its operationsbusiness-mongolia.com, May 22


Mongolia’s Three Proposals Initiated Included in Shanghai Declaration, Says President Ts.Elbegdorj

May 22 (infomongolia.com) On Wednesday, May 21, the President of Mongolia Mr. Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ gave an interview to Mongolian reporters accompanied him in the Fourth Summit of the CICA held in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China on May 20-21, 2014. 
Mr. President, how do you see the highlights of the Summit and what the Mongolia’s role in the CICA?
This is a high-level Summit being organized once in four years and being enlarged in terms of participants and its significance. At this year’s event, representatives from 47 states have participated. Most notably, Mongolia’s three initiations forwarded were adopted and included in the Shanghai Declaration following the Summit.
First, “Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security” that aims to bring a mechanism to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the countries of Northeast Asia and in pursuit of long term goals for regional peace and stability. In this regard, Mongolia to host a multilateral meeting in its capital city of Ulaanbaatar in upcoming June.
Second, Mongolia’s initiation of its nuclear-weapon-free status was greatly supported by attendees and was included in the Declaration.
Third, Mongolia’s proposal initiated in 2006 regarding the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement on establishing an International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries in Ulaanbaatar was also included.
In Shanghai, you have held a separate meetings with two neighboring Presidents, would you please share your opinions.
Mongolia’s priority issue of foreign policy is equally to develop its partnership with our two neighbor countries. The meeting with the President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping was conducted in a friendly atmosphere. However, it was planned to have a meeting in a half of hour, but was prolonged up to two hours and ten minutes that means a lot and we have exchanged views on many issues.
The meeting was also concluded successfully with our northern neighbor’s President Mr. Vladimir Putin, afterwards we have reached a consensus to resolve some issues together. This means some important bilateral agreements would be established.
Where many issues are needed to resolve and most of these are not relevant bilateral affairs, it regards trilateral issues, in other words, Mongolia’s active participation is required between the three countries. Therefore, I and the President V.Putin agreed to form a joint working group on some tasks.
Following the Shanghai Summit, Prime Minister of Mongolia N.Altankhuyag is heading for Saint Petersburg, Russia to conduct an official visit, where he will be meeting with the state head of the Russian Federation to affirm negotiations discussed here.
Besides, President V.Putin promised to arrange meeting for Mongolian delegates with Russian high-level authorities in St.Petersburg and Premier N.Altankhuyag is also invited to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2014.
Moreover, President V.Putin underlined that Mongolia is a key territory for railway transit transportation, which means as same as our country’s position and it is very significant in terms of economic benefits.


50th anniversary celebrated here

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) Dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Mongolia and Switzerland and the 10th anniversary of the Representation establishment of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation /SDC/ in Mongolia, an event of honor ran at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday.
It has been co-organized by L.Bold, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and by Mr Jean-Jacques de Dardel, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Mongolia. Among the gathered were members of the government and parliament, delegates of the Diplomatic Corps in the UB city and Swiss-collaborative organizations of education, culture, art, sciences, trade and business sectors, and a Director-General of the SDC.
A photo exhibition about Mongolia and Switzerland opened, it will be on display on the Chinggis Square until May 24.
In recent years, the sides have paid mutual visits, for example, the President of Mongolia and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to this country, and the Vice President of Swiss Confederation and the President of the National Council to Mongolia.
Mongolia and Switzerland established diplomatic relations May 22 of 1964.


Foreign Minister meets Hugo Swire

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) The Minister of Foreign Affairs L.Bold Thursday received visiting Mr Hugo Swire, the Minister of State for the Foreign Office of the United Kingdom.
The dignitaries exchanged views on the Mongolia-Britain bilateral relations, international and regional issues, including the Korean Peninsula, a current crisis in Ukraine and a matter of Afghanistan.
In a scope of the two-day visit, Mr Swire will visit the Oyu Tolgoi mine, becoming the first British Minister to leg this site.
Mr Swire said: “The Foreign Secretary’s visit to Mongolia last year was testament to the importance we place on our partnership with Mongolia. We were the first western country to establish relations with Mongolia in 1963, and in 2013 we celebrated fifty years of diplomatic relations. They remain as strong now as they were at the start."
"I look forward to working together on international issues around security, defense and economic growth as well as promoting British business and meeting Chevening scholars. And I hope in particular to have productive discussions on the future development of the Oyu Tolgoi mine--a major British investment and a huge opportunity for Mongolia,” he said.

 

 

Vice Speaker receives British Minister

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) A Vice Speaker of the State Great Khural R.Gonchigdorj Thursday received a delegation headed by Mr Hugo Swire, the Minister of State for the Foreign Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Beginning the meeting, the Vice Speaker thanked Mr Swire and accompanied him delegates for visiting Mongolia, and emphasized that the countries celebrated last year the 50th anniversary of the Mongolia-Britain diplomatic relations.
Expressing a gratitude to the Vice Speaker for an audience, Mr Swire highlighted that Great Britain and Mongolia are possible to intensify the cooperation in all spheres.
Mr Gonchigdorj said that Mongolia is doing reforms in the court and in law enforcement agency, and noted a requirement to collaborate with the Great Britain in combating organized crimes and to study British experience in improving skills of trained staffers. Mongolia has decided to introduce the Cambridge system in its educational programme, the Vice Speaker said, and asked Mr Swire for paying attention to this matter.
Present at the meeting were Ts.Narantungalag, a head of the foreign relations section of the Parliamentary Office; O.Batkhand, a head of the press and information section; and other officials.


Stock exchange news for May 22

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades held Thursday, a total of 38 thousand and 876 shares of 14 JSCs were traded costing MNT 14 million 642 thousand and 429.30.
"Hai Bi Oil” /25 thousand and 004 units/, "Genco tour bureau" /11 thousand and 582 units/, "Baganuur" /1,002 units/, "Remikon" /750 units/ and "APU” /320 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value--"Hai Bi Oil” (MNT eight million 251 thousand and 320), "Baganuur" (MNT three million 248 thousand and 484), "APU" (MNT one million 165 thousand and 755), "Genco tour bureau" (MNT 984 thousand and 470) and "Tavan Tolgoi” (MNT 475 thousand and 040).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 566 billion 068 million 363 thousand and 619. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 15,415.61, increasing by MNT 17.36 or 0.11% against the previous day.


U.S. Officials Discuss Energy Regulation on MNB

May 21 (US Embassy) A U.S. delegation focused on energy issues and commercial law development will be featured on a May 29 broadcast of “Open Discussion” on Mongolian National Broadcaster (MNB).   
The delegation, included Joseph Figueiredo, Program Manager for the Unconventional Gas Technical Engagement Program (UGTEP), Bureau of Energy Resources, US Department of State; Joe Yang, Attorney-Advisor in the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel; and Barclay R. Nicholson, Partner in the Houston office of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., who focuses on business disputes and energy disputes.  They visited Mongolia to discuss best practices and assistance related to laws and regulation of energy industry.
The delegation, along with Otgochuluu Ch., Mongolian Ministry of Mining, and Ganbold Da., an economist, were interviewed by  Mongolian National Broadcaster’s “Open Discussion” program. The panel discussion was titled, “Meeting Mongolia’s Energy Market Needs: How Much Regulation is Right?” The interview will run on MNB on Thursday, May 29, at 21:05.
During their visit to Mongolia, Silk Road Foundation and the U.S. Embassy co-sponsored a luncheon discussion that featured the visitors.  More than 50 people attended the event to discuss “Challenges of Transitioning to a Truly Free Market: The Case of Mongolia’s Energy Sector”.
The delegation was also interviewed by Mongolian National Radio for broadcast on both MNR and Voice of Mongolia. The guests discussed several U.S. government programs dealing with assistance on developing commercial laws as well as best practices in developing laws related to energy and the programs’ potential benefits to Mongolia.


M.Odgerel to become national draughts champion

Ulaanbaatar, May 22 (MONTSAME) In the women’s category of the national draughts championship, M.Odgerel has become the national champion for 2014.
With her outstanding performance during the championship, a high school pupil Odgerel achieved the championship title, ahead of the last round to take place on Friday. She won over B.Nadintsetseg in the tenth round on Thursday.
Odgerel was named as a rising star when she defeated 12-time world champion Zoja Golubeva in 12th round of the Women’s World Draught Championship held in Ulaanbaatar last October.
The competition of men’s category of the championship is continuing with fierce rivalries among 14 best players of Mongolia. International masters D.Erdenebileg and G.Ganjargal, who are leading the tournament with 19 points each, will face each other at the 13th round on Friday. D.Erdenebileg reached the title of the national championship ten times before, while G.Ganjargal bagged the gold medal of the championship six times.

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