Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Mongolian Economic Development Minister Nyamjav Batbayar agreed on Thursday to accelerate efforts to arrange a visit to Japan by the Mongolian Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag by the year-end, according to officials.

At a meeting in Tokyo, Kishida welcomed almost monthly high-level exchanges taking place between the two countries following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe”s visit to Ulan Bator in March.

“By making use of the momentum, I hope to compare notes with the Minister to deepen our strategic partnership and make efforts to realize Prime Minister Altankhuyag”s visit to Japan,” Kishida said. Altankhuyag is expected to visit Japan in the autumn.

Kishida and Batbayar also confirmed plans to strengthen coordination between the two sides in developing mineral resources in Mongolia.