German Chancellor Angela Merkel ended her official visit to Mongolia on Thursday afternoon.

Before she left, Prime Minister S.Batbold held a banquet in her honor. He noted that Mongolians have a long and rich history, and that this year marks the centennial of Mongolia’s independence. He said Mongolians view the Chancellor’s visit as a sign of respect.

Batbold said one of Mongolia’s foreign policy goals is to strengthen ties with Germany. He said the Government is interested in negotiating cooperative agreements with the German government and German businesses. He also invited Merkel to return to Mongolia in the summer for a longer visit.

Merkel said that, although her visit was brief, she appreciated the scenic beauty of Mongolia and the hospitality of its people. She thanked Batbold for inviting her, and she invited him to visit Germany.