French
Minister of State for Foreign Trade Anne-Marie Idrac and Foreign Minister
G.Zandanshatar have signed a bilateral cooperation agreement on nuclear energy.
The French Minister also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding
between the National Emergency General Board (NEGB) of Mongolia and the Civil
Security Managing Board (CSMB) of France.

At a press conference later, Foreign Minister Zandanshatar noted that the visit
of Ms. Idrac is the first by any French Foreign Trade Minister to Mongolia and  marks the 45th anniversary of Mongolia-France
diplomatic relationship. The two countries have long enjoyed a friendly
relationship and bilateral cooperation in the nuclear field would lead to
collaboration in other fields.

France has granted a soft loan for two projects on environmental protection and
water resources. The visitors attended yesterday’s inauguration of work at the Ulaanbaatar
air pollution controlling laboratory.

Mongolia’s also wants French cooperation in projects to stem water pollution, and
in food, agriculture and tourism fields, said Zandanshatar.

Ms. Idrac arrived in Ulaanbaatar yesterday on a two-day visit and called on
President Ts. Elbegdorj, and Parliament Speaker D. Demberel. The delegation
with her includes representatives of the state-run uranium company Areva Group,
which has uranium interests in eastern Mongolia.

The
French minister said, “We shall sign an agreement on cooperation in the
nuclear energy field, which will be the basis for Areva”s operation in
Mongolia.” France was supporting all dialogue between Mongolia and the
European Union, she said. She handed over a letter from President Sarkozy to
President Elbegdorj.