Lithuania and Mongolia hold consultations on bilateral trade promotion and transport cooperation

On 31 March during the consultations in Vilnius, Foreign Ministries of Lithuania and Mongolia discussed ways to promote bilateral economic and trade relations, also cooperation in the spheres of transport, culture and education, reported BC the press service of the Foreign Ministry. Consultations were led by Lithuanian Foreign Deputy Minister Asta Skaisgiryte Liauskiene and Secretary of State of the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Damdin Tsogtbaatar.

The Vice-Minister noted that currently the bilateral trade volume was very small and, therefore, there was a need to promote bilateral trade. Possibilities to carry goods from China and Mongolia via the Klaipeda seaport were also discussed. Mongolia is a country rich in natural resources, its economy undergoes rapid liberalization, and its service sector is developing. Lithuanian companies could also participate in this process more actively. According to the growth forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the coming years Mongolia should be one of the fastest growing economies in the world.



During the consultations, officials discussed the promotion of bilateral relations in the spheres of culture and education, the Vice-Minister invited students from Mongolia to study at Lithuanian universities.



Participants of the meeting discussed preparations for the visit of President of Mongolia Tsakhia Elbegdorj to Lithuania in June. Mongolia's President will participate in the planned events of the Community of Democracies in Vilnius.



In July this year, Mongolia will take over from Lithuania a two-year long Presidency of the Community of Democracies, which joins democratic states. Skaisgiryte Liauskiene acquainted D.Cogtbaatar with Lithuania's activities in international organizations, the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the preparation to hold the Presidency of the European Union. The officials also discussed regional and global issues.



The bilateral consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Lithuania and Mongolia were held for the second time. The first bilateral consultations took place in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, in June 2010. A memorandum on cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs was signed during these consultations.



Mongolia recognized Lithuania's Independence on 29 August 1991. Diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Mongolia were established on 11 December 1991.

Source:www.baltic-course.com