Mongolia, Japan vow to boost partnership

Mongolia hopes to move its comprehensive partnership with Japan to a new level, said Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj on Monday.

"Loans and assistance from the Japanese government and people have played an important role in strengthening the democracy and reform of Mongolia," said the president during a meeting with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.0 He thanked representatives from both countries for their efforts on an economic partnership agreement, which, if signed, will be the first of its kind that Mongolia has ever had with a foreign country.

Okada said the agreement will enhance not only the economic relationship, but also cooperation in all aspects between the two countries.

Statistics from Japan's Foreign Ministry show that Japan's economic cooperation with and aid to Mongolia has reached about 2.18 billion U.S dollars in 2008, accounting for approximately one third of total aid for Mongolia by foreign countries and international organizations.

Source: Xinhua