PRESIDENT BATTULGA RECEIVES US DEPT. OF STATE ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY SUSAN THORNTON
President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga received Susan Thornton, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Department of State of the United States of America on January 21st in the State Palace.
Beginning the meeting, the President expressed gratitude to Ms. Susan Thornton who is visiting Mongolia to attend the Mongolian-US Political Consultative Meeting in Ulaanbaatar. President Battulga also underlined there are several important proposals for cooperation with the US for the sake of future growth of Mongolia and its economic sustainability. The President highlighted that support of the US is highly valued in obtaining information on Mongolian politicians who have bank accounts in offshore regions and bringing back the assets to Mongolia. The Independent Agency Against Corruption of Mongolia needs assistance, he noted.
The President also wished Ms. Susan Thornton to attach more importance to supporting the option for entrance of Mongolian textile products to the US with tax exemption on the US Congress. If the decision is made in favor of Mongolia, about 30 thousand Mongolian women are expected to have reliable jobs.
Mentioning there have been tangible achievements in the area of cooperation between the two countries, the Acting Assistant Secretary Susan Thornton expressed her belief that the draft of the Second Compact Agreement of the Millennium Challenge Account for Mongolia will be complete within the several months to come. She also highlighted the satisfaction with the two countries’ cooperation in defense sector, and expressed gratitude for the honorable involvement of Mongolian armed forces in the global peacekeeping operations.
The dignitaries further exchanged opinions on bilateral ties, regional economic situation and possibilities of attracting more foreign investment to Mognolia. Last year marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Mongolia and the US. The sides agreed that the bilateral trade turnover which totals to merely USD 300 million is a small number looking at the history of diplomacy and cooperation.