MONGOLIA-USA CONSULTATIVE MEETING RUNS

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The 12th consultative meeting of the Defense Ministries of Mongolia and the USA was held this May 20-21 in Washington DC, the USA. The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Ms Kelly Magsamen made the opening remarks, expressing a satisfaction with the boosting Mongolia-USA cooperation in the defense sector. She also noted that this meeting will provide both sides with opportunities to conclude programs implemented within the bilateral cooperation, to plan further works, to share information neccesary for developing the collaboration, and to determine the directions. The First Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs gave a report on the US policy over reconstruction of Afghanistan and on planning of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The meeting was attended by Mr A.Battor, the Deputy Minister of Defense of Mongolia; Mr B.Altangerel, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the USA; Major-General B.Bayarmagnai, a Deputy Head of the General Headquarters of Mongolian Armed Forces; Colonel D.Ariunbold, a head of the External Relations and Cooperation Department of Defense Ministry.