PRESS STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT KHALTMAAGIIN BATTULGA
Following the signing ceremony, President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulg and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin delivered press statements to the members of the media.
President Battulga said in his statement:
“Your Excellency, Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich,
Distinguished delegates, and members of the media,
I have held a tête-à-tête and an expanded-format meeting with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, who is paying an official visit to our country today, exchanged our views on a number of subjects in a business-like, friendly, and open manner, and reached important decisions.
The relations between Mongolia and the Russian Federation, a persevering friendship of historic tradition that has stood the test of times, are developing on the ground of mutual trust.
We appreciate the official visit of President Vladimir Putin to Mongolia and the joint celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Battles of Khalkhin Gol. This victory was a noble event that solidified the independence and sovereignty of Mongolia and cemented the friendship between the people of our two countries. The people of our two countries are friends who fought together both in peaceful times of development and the days of war.
We must immortalize the honorable service of the Mongolian-Soviet soldiers who fought shoulder-to-shoulder in battlefields for the generations to come. The historic deeds of the Mongolian-Soviet soldiers who fought selflessly for the sake of the independence of Mongolia shall be remembered for ever.
Within the framework of the visit of the Russian President, the relations between Mongolia and the Russian Federation have reached a new level of comprehensive strategic partnership. We have affirmed the establishment of a Treaty on Friendly Relations and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Mongolia and the Russian Federation with the signing of the document. We believe that the establishment of this treaty for an indefinite period reaffirms our mutual trust and brings bilateral cooperation to a new era, thus implying a historic political importance.
I would also like to emphasize that the visit of the Russian President to our country has been highly substantial and productive. During the visit, 10 intergovernmental and interagency documents that will make significant contribution to the development of bilateral ties and cooperation have been signed.
The traditional military and military-technical relations and cooperation between our two countries continue to broaden. I am pleased to note that an Intergovernmental Protocol on Resumption of the 2004 Intergovernmental Agreement on Providing Non-refundable Military-Technical Aid has been signed.
I have graciously received the invitation extended by the Russian President to the celebration commemorating the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, which will take place next year. The Mongolian side has expressed its willingness to send a large delegation to the celebration of this historic anniversary.
As part of our efforts of advance bilateral trade and economic cooperation, we have also discussed the possibilities of increasing the efficiency of the Ulaanbaatar Railway Joint Venture. We have expressed interest in using the RUB 100 billion export credit, which we requested from the Government of the Russian Federation, for increasing the authorized capital of the Ulaanbaatar Railway Joint Venture, in the energy sector, and building a new railway line along the route Zuunbayan-Khangi.
We are grateful to the Russian Federation for providing Mongolia with an opportunity to use a seaport in its Far Eastern region and gain access to the sea. The Intergovernmental Agreement on Transit Rail Transportation that we signed in June, 2018, opened this door for us. We have agreed to work with FESCO Transportation Group of Russia, the owner of the Zarubino Port in the Far Eastern region, and have prepared an initial feasibility study for building a new terminal at the port.
We are confident that the Russian Federation will support our proposal to establish a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.
It is our view that, to expand the scope of bilateral economic cooperation, we need to identify the priority areas for investment from the Russian Federation and take policy measures towards increasing the volume of exports of Mongolia. I would like to express gratitude to the Government of the Russian Federation for reopening its trade mission in Mongolia. Mongolian also plans to open its trade mission in Vladivostok. I believe that, as a result of these decisions, bilateral economic ties will be intensified.
Furthermore, we would like to jointly implement large-scale developmental projects that define the future of bilateral cooperation. With this purpose, I propose to form a high-level working group and conduct research on a broad range. The Development Bank of Mongolia and the Direct Investment Fund of the Russian Federation agreed on establishing a Joint Ruble and Tugrik Investment Fund and signed a memorandum.
I would like to state that we have settled some issues that were pending solution for many years, including the first phase of the matters involving Russian immovable properties in Mongolia, as well as the excise duties of the Ulaanbaatar Railway Joint Venture.
I would like to reiterate that the official visit of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation has brought the traditionally friendly relations between our two countries to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership, thus opening a new page in relationship. Again, I thank His Excellency, Mr. Vladimir Putin, for accepting my invitation and taking the time to pay a visit to Mongolia.
Thank you for the attention.”
