At a meeting in Ulaanbaatar
on May 24, First Deputy Premier N.Altankhuyag, who is also head of the
Mongolian side of the Mongolia-Russia Intergovermental Commission, and the new Governor
of the Sverdlovskaya province in Russia, A.C. Misharin, stressed the
long tradition of friendly bilateral ties and expressed hopes these will be
strengthened and expanded in the coming days.

Misharin’s visit is important as Sverdlovskaya has a strong
mining sector and the capacity to train Mongolian specialists in the skills
that will be in demand when Mongolian mineral deposits start being exploited in
a big way. The two leaders also discussed ways of increasing the volume of
regional and border trade.

Misharin said his province could supply mining machinery and equipment, and
collaborate in defense, health, energy, agriculture and construction spheres.
Specifically, he offered help in setting up the 5^th power plant. Ulaanbaatar and
Ekaterinburg could also establish bonds of mutual cooperation.