The United State Secretary of Defense Mr Chuck Hagel paid an official visit to Mongolia after his working visits to Japan and China for ensuring the implementation of a balanced policy in Asia-Pacific region.
This is not very first visit of the US Secretary of Defense to Mongolia. Previously, the 21st Secretary of Defense Mr Donald Ramsfield visited Mongolia in 2005, contributing to further development of the bilateral cooperation in the defense field. Mr Chuck’s visit also opened a new chapter of the defense sector of Mongolia.
The Minister of Defense D.Bat-Erdene: The bilateral defense collaboration has been developing since 1991, and has reached a specific volume. We have shared views on improving skills of military staffers and cooperating in medicine and security of online field.
Having support from the Pentagon means that Mongolia avoids the dependence from its neighbors Russia and China in terms of economic and security matters, and attaches an importance the strategic partnership with Third Neighbors in frames of its foreign policy.
Since 2002, Mongolia has sent its some 5,000 troops to peacekeeping operations chaired by the USA, NATO and the UN, and it is quite active participation in it for the country with only 3 million people. Foreign media says Mr Hagel’s visit is not only expression of gratitude to Mongolia for its efforts, but also for fortifying the strategic partnership with Mongolia.
US Secretary of Defense Mr Chuck Hagel said that he visited Mongolia because the USA has friendly partnership with Mongolia, and highlighted the two nations now should expand their cooperation in the defense as Mongolia has become a big player in ensuring stability in its region. The collaboration in the Armed Forces will widen after the countries have signed a joint statement.
Mr Hagel said that the USA will normally continue the assistance to be rendered to Mongolia’s defense sector and the cooperation under the established documents.
The media has asked the defense chiefs of the countries if Mongolia could locate a military base of a foreign country in its territory. In response, the Defense Minister responded that Mongolia prohibits such action by its law.
Following the press conference, the Prime Minister of Mongolia N.Altankhuyag received Mr Hagel. The Premier expressed a satisfaction with expansion of the Mongolia-US comprehensive partnership relations in many sectors, and highlighted that the defense field is essential for the partnership relations.
The same day, Mr Hagel finished his visit to Mongolia.