SPEAKER MEETS MEMBER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF FRANCE

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Chairman of the State Great Khural (parliament) Z.Enkhbold is happy with active political dialogue between Mongolia and France, particularly with boosting of the inter-parliamentary ties and cooperation. He spoke about this and other matters at a meeting with Mr Jerome Chartier, a member of the National Assembly of France (lower house of parliament) on Tuesday. The Speaker conveyed greetings to Mr Claude Bartolone, the President of the NA of France, and thanked Mr Chartier--a head of the France-Mongolia friendship group at the NA--for 13-year great efforts to widen the relations and cooperation in all sectors and to propagandize Mongolia to French politicians and businessmen. He said that "Tractebel", an associated company of the "GDF Suez" French multinational electric utility company, is working out a feasibility study of the "Eg River" hydro power station’s project after having been selected as the consulting company, and added that this station will replace an imported electricity. In response, Mr Chartier expressed a satisfaction with meeting with the Speaker again. “Members of the France-Mongolia friendship group are visiting Mongolia for the first time. It is very important for us," he said and introduced to the Speaker functions and goals of the friendship group. He also said France plans to mount an exhibition about Mongolia in 2016 in Paris to show developmental tendencies of Mongolian ancient and contemporary arts. The 50th anniversary of the Mongolia-France diplomatic relations will be celebrated next year, Mr Chartier noted and said he would like the President of Mongolia to visit France during this jubilee, "France is ready to do all to run this visit". After this, the leader of Mongolia awarded Mr Chartier the "Polar Star" state Order for his significant contribution to the bilateral social-economic relations. Present at the meeting were also N.Battsereg, a head of the “Justice” coalition’s faction at parliament and chairman of the Mongolia-France inter-parliamentary group; S.Byambatsogt, a head of the Mongolian People’s Party’s (MPP) faction; Ts.Oyungerel MP, the Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism; D.Ganbat, a head of the Standing committee on justice; B.Boldbaatar, the secretary of the Parliamentary Office. Mongolia and France established the diplomatic relations on April 27 of 1965. France opened its Embassy in Mongolia in 1966, whereas Mongolia opened the Embassy in 1969.