Prime Minister in South Korea

http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5971&Itemid=37

Written by P.Shinebayar

Friday, March 25, 2011.

Prime Minister of Mongolia Batbold Sukhbaatar, who is on a visit to South Korea, held talks with his Korean counterpart Kim Hwang-sik in Seoul to discuss a wide range of cooperation issues. In the meeting, Prime Minister Batbold expressed “solid support” about Seoul’s planned investment in developing mineral resources in his country and agreed on taking active measures to expand economic cooperation. In a joint press release, the two countries also agreed to positively consider forging a free trade deal, expand cooperation on education, construction, energy, farming and green growth, and increase cultural exchanges. Mongolia also expressed support about Seoul’s policies toward North Korea, echoing demand that the communist state must give up its nuclear facilities based on a U.N. Security Council resolution and its previous pledge made during the six-nation talks. South Korea will continue and increase financial support to Mongolia for development particularly in the fields of medical and environment. They also agreed to expand dialogue between high-level government officials to build up mutual trust and review the possibility of a free trade agreement. In addition, the parties signed a series of memorandums of understanding on promoting cooperation in the fields of construction, transportation, science and medicine. Prime Minister Batbold also held a meeting with representatives of his compatriots studying and working in Korea. According to statistics, there are more than 30 thousand Mongolians in South Korea. Afterwards, Batbold attended a Mongolia-Korea Business Forum. On the sidelines of premier’s visit, Foreign Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav held a separate talks with his South Korean counterpart Kim Sung-hwan. They discussed policies toward North Korea, exchange of senior officials and financial development. Forging diplomatic ties in March 1990, Mongolia and South Korea have been increasing economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, within the recent years. The Mongolian Prime Minister is slated to hold a one-on-one meeting with President Lee Myung-bak on Friday morning before returning home.