President attends "Mining and Metallurgy Policy" session

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ On the sidelines of the 45th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj attended the "Global Water Agenda–2015"session where he met with global political and economic leaders and exchanged views with them on the Strategic Competition in the New Global Context on January 22. At a "Mining and Metallurgy Policy"”, Mr Elbegdorj answered some questions but by journalists. When asked "if Mongolia made any progress on water security, a source of economic stability by Group of 77 at the United Nations?", he said noted that "Mongolia participates in the WEF sessions on mining, infrastructure, environment, governance, corruption and many other issues", and said that one of the most concerning issues of Mongolia at the WEF is water security issue. "This is one of the most pressing issues in Mongolia. My idea was supported by the representatives at today’s session. Mongolia will impose a higher tax and strict requirements on the mining companies that use groundwater resources,” he said. The President also mentioned some solutions for water shortage such as storing rainwater, preserving river conditions and using filtered water, and said Mongolia will support mining companies that pursue proper water management. To a question about main issues discussed at the session, which had run on the most concerned matters for Mongolia, the mining and economy of China, he emphasized that the WEF became the arena for international discussion during the week. "Premier of China Li Keqiang opened this year’s mining session of the WEF. The world economy is becoming even more dependent on the economy of China. Mongolia shares the longest land border with China, and our two countries enjoy strong economic relationship. Therefore, our economy is relatively dependent on China. First, we should pay attention to the issues that we had have settled during a state visit of the President of China last year. In particular, we need to implement works related to infrastructure investment. We must start building the new power plants and railways,” he said. "On the other hand, Mongolia should pay attention to the sectors that will further benefit, such as agriculture, and invest more in the processing plant industry of the agricultural sector." Asked about Mongolia’s role in overcoming of geopolitical distrust, the President noted that one cannot talk about the national security without addressing value issues. There is no difference between large and small countries, said the President. "The national security has only one criterion. If Mongolia proposes a good initiative, it will receive wide support from the world countries. Most of our initiatives relevant to the relations between our two neighbors are supported in the world. If we maintain our friendly relations with our two neighbors, we will find a common language with any other world countries, particularly in the infrastructure sphere,” he said.