The Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy yesterday discussed implementation of the Government program between 2008 and 2012 in military and foreign relations.

S.Oyun asked how the MNT150 million for Mongolian citizens abroad had been spent, what agreements had been reached on transit transport rates, what decision had been taken to revise the Ulaanbaatar Railway agreement of 1949, and to transfer to Mongolia apartments in Bayanzurkh district owned by Russia.
 
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade G.Zandanshatar explained how economic relations with foreign countries are now going beyond seeking aid and loans. He also said money in the fund for Mongolians abroad is spent in special cases such as bringing back home citizens needing protracted and expensive medical care.

He also explained that Mongolia, Russia and China concluded a trilateral agreement on transit transport in 2005 but there has been no meeting since then because Russia was unwilling. Russia also wants to revise the agreement but Mongolia and China are not agreeable. Progress on transit transport was being held up by Russia, he said.

D.Terbishdagva wanted to know what had happened to the USD300 million loan from China that has been talked about since 2003. Zandanshatar said China has released only USD40 million of this, to be spent to information technology programs, but Parliament wants it to be used differently, and is yet to take a decision.