Prime
Minister S.Batbold yesterday told Dr. Karl A. Lamers, Deputy Chairman of the
Defense Committee of the German Bundestag, that Mongolia accepted the Federal
Republic as a “third neighbor”. Economic cooperation, especially in education
and defense, has been getting stronger and the large number of German-speaking
Mongolians aided the process of deepening bilateral relations in the trade and
economic spheres. Batbold said Mongolia would welcome all German help in its
bid to adopt EU standards in use of technology and in establishing a comprehensive
partnership with the EU.

The
German visitor appreciated Mongolia’s contribution to international
peacekeeping operations and said he would work for increased cooperation
between the two countries.

Dr.Lamers
also called on Parliament Speaker D.Demberel on Monday. The Speaker noted how
Germany has consistently supported Mongolia”s democratic reforms and referred
to German assistance and grants to implement many development projects.

“Defense-related issues play an important role in bilateral cooperation.
Our troops are in Afghanistan for peacekeeping operations and reconstruction
under the command of the German military,” Demberel stressed, and
expressed the hope that Mongolian military personnel could be trained in
Germany.