The 17th Intergovernmental Committee Meeting between Mongolia and Russia began in Moscow , Russia on Tuesday November 26th, 2013.

Mongolian delegates attended the Committee meeting with the theme of  trade, economy, science and technical cooperation that was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister D.Terbishdagva.

The agenda covers topics, in particular, a review of the previous committee meeting decisions, discussions on bilateral cooperation on trade, investment, economy and infrastructure.

Other interesting topics expected to be discussed are how the Mongolian Government will make change to boost all fields of bilateral cooperation; on logistic, mining, energy, education, humanity and science.

According to local newspaper reports, Mongolian representatives expressed willingness to sign a long term agreement with Rosneft, the oil company that is majority owned by the Government of Russia. Currently the company holds almost 85 percent of petroleum imports in Mongolia.

Another important issue that is expected to be raised at the meeting is the Mongolian – Russian Joint Venture, Mongolrostsvetmet LLC. There were speculations that there would be a replacement of the chairman of the company.

A committee meeting where 58 representatives came from Russia was held in Ulaanbaatar five days before the 17th Intergovernmental Committee Meeting. During the meeting where the chair of Russian delegates, Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Sergei Donskoi, made changes to the structure of both Mongolian and Russian elements. The Deputy Prime Minister D.Terbishdagva encouraged Russian companies to take a more active part in the 1800 km road construction work.

Russian representatives who took part in the Ulaanbaatar meeting spoke about their satisfaction in the results of the meeting to the ITAR-TASS agency. Mongolian and Russian parties agreed to improve border control, in particular Khankh and Monkh boarder points are to be in service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and Khiagt-Altanbulag point is also to move to a 24 hours service. The parties believed this measure will boost the number of tourists who head to Baigal lake and Khuvsgul lake over the boarder.

Traditionally the committee meeting comes before a state level visit. Therefore there is speculation that the Prime Minister might have planned a state visit to the Russian Federation.