Officials led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, L.Purevsuren, visited the Altanbulag-Khiagt border checkpoint last weekend. They were introduced to developments and activity at the border checkpoint. 

As of the end of 2014, Mongolian and Russian citizens have been allowed to travel across the border without visas.  In comparison to the same period last year, passenger transportation has increased by 36 percent at the checkpoint and vehicle transportation by 23.1 percent.  

As of January 2015, passenger transportation increased by 23,226 (88.5 percent) and vehicles by 5,242 (54 percent).

The Khiagt border checkpoint and customer organization checks five to seven vehicles per hour.  Due to this timely procedure, passengers have to wait patiently in a long queue to cross the border. One vehicle may have to wait up to 12, which has negatively influenced satisfaction at the border port regarding the fulfillment of procedures.  

During the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, representatives in Buruatiya from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the visit and discussed the problems facing the Altanbulag-Khiagt border checkpoint.

The Minister pointed out that the difficult issues faced by the border checkpoint will be resolved in the near future and that he would present these issues to the Cabinet for discussion. He assured that measures will be taken to safely travel and for the protection of rights of passengers travelling through the Altanbulag-Khiagt border checkpoint.