Mongolia’s ambassador to Russia, D.Idevkhten, was recently interviewed by the Russian magazine Mejdunarodnaya Jizni (International life) on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Russia.

In the interview, D.Idevkhten emphasized the longstanding good relations between the two countries, saying bilateral relations have been based on trust, understanding, confidence, and respect ever since the signing of the intergovernmental agreement 90 years ago.

He said Mongolia places great importance on its ties with Russia, and that mutual collaboration in politics, economics, trade, and humanitarian issues have intensively developed in recent years.

D.Idevkhten added that Mongolian President Ts.Elbegdorj paid an official visit to Russia at the invitation of his Russian counterpart D.Medvedev in 2011, and the two presidents addressed important issues of relations and cooperation.

The ambassador said trade and economic cooperation are actively developing, and at the end of September 2011, trade between the two countries amounted to USD 1.2 billion, an increase of 67.4 percent over the same period a year earlier. He also noted that, this academic year, the number of Mongolian students studying in Russian universities on scholarships from the Russian government increased by 50 students.

He noted that the above-mentioned facts are a part of an intensive development of Mongolian-Russian relations. D.Idevkhten also talked about collaboration in economics, culture, and education, and the current situation of regional cooperation and development trends.