President Elbegdorj Met With Russian Leader

On May 20, 2014, President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj met with President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Shanghai. President Elbegdorj was here to attend the Fourth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia /CICA/.

At the meeting, the parties exchanged views on increasing bilateral trade and promoting joint ventures between Mongolia and Russia. Both sides discussed issues related to the partnership in expanding the railway network, in particular, cooperate to use trans Mongolian railway as the primary trade route between China and Russia. President Elbegdorj touched upon a broad range of issues, particularly, on developing railway transit transportation, jointly celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the battle of Khalkhin-Gol and proposed to abolish visa formalities between citizens of the two countries.

President Elbegdorj said: “Mongolia is located between China and Russia and is the shortest way for transit by rail and other transport means. We should look at how to use these possibilities and build railway in mutually beneficial ways. It is important to initiate and organize Russia-China-Mongolia trilateral and Russia-Mongolia bilateral dialogues. Railway network and transit transportation issues are strategically important to Mongolia”. President said: “This August Mongolia will mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the battle of Khalkhin-Gol river. This is our joint victory, and therefore, we would like to celebrate the historical anniversary together” and President invited President of Russia Vladimir Putin to visit Mongolia to jointly mark the 75th anniversary of the Khalkhin-Gol Victory.

Moreover, President Elbegdorj proposed to organize trilateral dialogue on transit transportation issues in Ulaanbaatar. In response, President Vladimir Putin said that he accepted proposals of President Elbegdorj and expressed readiness to cooperate with Mongolia. Also, President Putin invited Mongolian counterpart to visit Russia.

The issues discussed by the heads of state will be considered during the official visit of Mongolian Prime Minister to Saint Petersburg, Russia.