The 8th consultative meeting of Mongolia and USA in Ulaanbaatar today  confirmed that bilateral relations are expanding.  The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, D.Tsogtbaatar, led the Mongolian side at the meeting, while the U.S. team included Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, Wallace Gregson.

Among the issues discussed were cooperation in various economic and human development sectors, and long-term prospects of trade in mineral resources in accordance with principles of environmental protection. Mongolia and the USA could collaborate more in education and civil society when Mongolia assumes the chair in the Association of Democratic Countries this July.

The U.S. officials promised continued cooperation in Mongolia’s democratic development as a “third neighbor”. They also pledged to help increase the economic competitive skills of Mongolia, strengthen its anti-corruption policy network through USAID program, and to continue aid and support in health, environment, energy, infrastructure, property rights and professional education through the Millennium Challenge Corp.

Mongolia expressed its desire to develop mutually beneficial cooperation based on equal partnership in matters of bilateral and multilateral interest.

Officials exchanged opinions in regional security, reform in defense sector, peace keeping activity, trade and economic relations.

Consultative meetings have been held annually since 2004.