FOREIGN MINISTER AT MEETING OF ISAF

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia L.Bold has delivered a speech at a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers with non-NATO ISAF Contributing Nations. It kicked off December 4 in Brussels, Belgium. The Foreign Minister appreciated achievements of the international community, said Mongolia contributed to them, and spoke about Mongolia's participation in this community until 2014 and further. He noted that Mongolia has been participating in the operations of ensuring security in Afghanistan since the year 2013, and that 350 servicemen are serving in it so far. The meeting attracted Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors of 28 NATO member-states and of 22 partner-countries who contribute to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). They have given reports about security environment in Afghanistan, situation with international operations, achievements and challenges. During this meeting, the FM Bold exchanged views with Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO Secretary-General, on the bilateral cooperation, Mongolia's contribution to the ISAF, further participation and support, and invited Mr Rasmussen to Mongolia. Then, L.Bold held negotiations with Mr Alexander Vershbow, the Ambassador and NATO Deputy Secretary General, met with his counterparts from Norway, Finland and Azerbaijan to discuss issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Mongolia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that this visit has helped to get au fait with the NATO's policies and strategies on the ISAF, to introduce the participation of the Mongolian Armed Forces, and to express the country's position. B.Khuder