President of Mongolia, Ts.Elbegdorj, gave an address at the Mongolia-DPRK business meeting at Pyongyang in North Korea on Tuesday October 29th.

The President said that “Mongolia-DPRK have historic good relations that the past generations have made the way for. Mongolia and the DPRK established diplomatic relations in October, 1948. Mongolia is the second country that established diplomatic relations with the DPRK. During the Korean War in 1950-1953, Mongolia and North Korea mutually opened Embassies in Ulaanbaatar and Pyongyang. I believe this is the indication that the former leaders of the two countries gave such an importance to the bilateral relations between Mongolia and the DPRK.”

President Elbegdorj then noted that “Mongolian prominent political figure, former chairman of the presidium of the Mongolian People”s Republic People”s Great Khural, Jamsrangiin Sambuu was the first Ambassador from the Mongolian People”s Republic to the DPRK. It is said that the Mongolian Ambassador Jamsrangiin Sambuu refused when he was suggested to leave the country during the uncertain time of the Korean War. He made his historic quote “We are not the kind of people who leave friends. We will stay with comrade Kim Il Sung”. Archive documents say that he was still with the Korean comrades during the bombarding.

“During the post-Korean war re-construction period  the North Korean leader Kim II Sung made the first ever visit to Mongolia in 1956.

“From this our former leaders made the way for bilateral relations with a great focus. I want to say that the bilateral good relations between our two countries have endured, expanded and thrived over the years. But again I want to state that current bilateral relations and cooperation between us is result of our former leaders achievements and efforts.”

The President also spoke about his visit to the DPRK  “This visit to the DPRK is the first state visit for me since I was re-elected as the President of Mongolia.

“We aim to further increase bilateral relations that are mutually beneficial for the people of the two countries.

“We have recognized that the supreme leader and marshal of the DPRK, Kim Jong-un aims to build a powerful economy.

“I believe his aim will work with our bilateral economic relations.

“I am delighted about the hospitality of the people and the state of the DPRK.”

President Elbegdorj then emphasized the talks with the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim Yong-nam, on how to intensify the bilateral political relations and high ranking reciprocal state visits between the two countries.

For strengthening the economic bilateral relations, the President suggested the Mongolian Government`s proposal to build a Mongolia-North Korean joint concern in order to intensify further economic relations.

President Elbegdorj then expressed Mongolia`s willingness to intensify economic relations with other countries making the way through the DPRK`s infrastructure and sea ports. He said that Mongolia sees many opportunities on cooperation in rail, air and road transportation and sea ports with the DPRK.

The President also commented on the DPRK`s proposal to build a livestock facility saying that there are wide ranging opportunities in this sector.

President Elbegdorj said that Mongolia is an agricultural country with great experience. Therefore there are opportunities to train North Koreans in qualifications in this field or bring Mongolian experts to DPRK to cooperate.

The President also called on the businessmen, enterprises and entities of the two countries to intensify business talks and discussions on cooperation.

Mongolia is rich with its coal and lime stone. The President expressed Mongolia`s willingness to launch Korean technology to produce material from coal and the limestone in Mongolia. The DPRK`s leader Kim II Sung focused highly on building a factory in Mongolia based on the technology during his two visits to Mongolia back to 1988. 22 personnel were qualified in the University of the DPRK. The President stated that we need to focus on developing this project to encourage it to work.

He also encouraged cooperation to fight against desertification with the DPRK as the country has experience of planting and bedding.

At the conclusion of the speech, President Elbegdorj said that the DPRK is a close entrance for access to the sea and encouraged the business delegates and enterprises to take the opportunity to cooperate on travel and tourism.