FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS SWEDEN

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Foreign Minister L.Bold paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Sweden May 26. This visit follows a visit of the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj in 2012, and has become the first one paid by the Mongolian FM to this country. During the visit, a series of events took place in celebration of the semicentennial anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between Mongolia and Sweden. In Stockholm, L.Bold held an official meeting with his counterpart of Sweden Mr Carl Bildt to share views over bilateral cooperation and international matters. Mr Bildt pledged a support to Mongolia in chairing the fifth "Online Freedom" in Ulaanbaatar in 2015. The same day, the Mongolian FM met with the Speaker of Sweden’s parliament (Riksdag) Mr Per Westerberg and with Minister for Public Administration and Housing Mr Stefan Attefall to share opinions on inter-parliamentary relationship, Swedish public organizations’ structures, bilateral cooperation opportunities. Mr Bold also legged the Folke Bernadotte Academy, a Swedish government agency dedicated to enhancing a quality and effectiveness of international conflict and crisis management, with a particular focus on peace operations. Today, there are 4,500 Mongolians residing in Sweden, the mother language education for Sweden-based Mongolian children has become one of many priorities of the Embassy of Mongolia in Stockholm, said Ambassador of Mongolia to Sweden Z.Altai while highlighting main activities of our Embassy. Accompanying the FM, a Head of the Gandantegchilen Monastery D.Choijamts met with Mongolians living in Sweden. During the visit, an exhibition of Mongolian artists opened to display various artworks, and folk concert was given in the Stockholm Cultural Center. Another important event was the Mongolia-Sweden business meeting, at which Mr Bold briefed on investment environment and government policies of Mongolia. The meeting was also attended by representatives of globally-operating Swedish companies such as Sandvik and ABB. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Mongolia-Sweden diplomatic relationship that has advanced into friendlier ties compared to the time when some Swedish businessmen and travelers first came to Mongolia to lay a foundation stone of the relation fifty years ago. The Kingdom of Sweden is one of the most prominent partners of Mongolia in the Eurozone, and it has advanced political, economic and cultural ties with Mongolia.