German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a speech at a special session of the Mongolian Parliament on Thursday. In it, she congratulated the Mongolian people for replacing communism with democracy and a market economy. She also said she supported efforts to reform the country’s electoral system. She applauded the moratorium on capital punishment announced by President Ts.Elbegdorj in 2010, and encouraged the country to abolish the practice altogether.

She noted that Germany is ready to invest in Mongolia’s mining sector, which will benefit future generations. She also signaled Germany’s willingness to cooperate on issues of mineral resources, infrastructure, and education.

She concluded the speech by thanking the Mongolian and German troops taking part in peacekeeping operations in northern Afghanistan, which, she noted, is an especially dangerous area.