Today, on the sidelines of the Official Visit to France, President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj met with Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of the French Republic who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Quai d’Orsay. At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Laurent Fabius introduced unique historic documents on the relations between our two countries, for instance, a letter sent from Mongolia to the Government of France asking for official recognition of its independence in 1911. The original copy of the letter, official notes and other historic documents were displayed at the Quai d’Orsay.

Mr. Laurent Fabius said: “Despite geographical distance, France and Mongolia are spiritually close to each other. I often mention Mongolia first as a shining example of a successful democratic country. You may regard me as the second Ambassador of Mongolia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France”. Then, he appreciated the President for paying an Official Visit to France and noted that the Mongolia-France Cultural Days dedicated to the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries were successfully organized last June in Paris.

President Elbegdorj briefly informed about the Foundation for International Cooperation and noted: “Mongolia regards France as our third neighbor and a trusted partner in the Europe. Our two countries are enhancing mutual cooperation in wide range of fields such as culture, education, agriculture, livestock farming, defense and tourism. I’m glad that our two countries will sign cooperation documents on culture, education and tourism to strengthen this partnership”.

Moreover, President Elbegdorj thanked France for backing Mongolia at the election of the United Nations Council for Human Rights this year. The parties touched upon a number of other international and regional issues such as the refugees streaming into Europe and the fight against terrorism. Also, they discussed the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference results.

Concluding the meeting, President Elbegdorj expressed hope that the high-level delegates of France will attend the ASEM Summit – 2016 in Ulaanbaatar and informed that he has initiated a policy on the Permanent Neutrality of Mongolia. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France Laurent Fabius emphasized that France is respecting Mongolia’s policy.

Source: www.president.mn