Parliament Speaker receives UK Ambassador

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Parliament Speaker M.Enkhbold received Catherine Arnold, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Mongolia on February 1. At the beginning of the meeting, the Parliament Speaker, M.Enkhbold remarked that “Mongolia and the United Kingdom have a long history of cooperation as the latter is the first western country to establish diplomatic relations with Mongolia”. Emphasizing that the high-level reciprocal visits becomes more regular, the relations between the legislative bodies of the two countries have started developing more consistently, the Parliament Speaker said "Cooperation between the parliaments is crucial in creating more favorable legal environment to resolve the pressing issues of the economy, trade and investment”. After confirming the invitation for John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons to visit Mongolia, the Parliament Speaker has a willingness to expand the mutually beneficial relations with the UK by reassuring the cooperation of the two countries in education, military, mining, energy and information sectors. He then noted his intention to increase the number of Mongolian students to study in the UK under the scholarship program of the UK government. "Mongolia gives importance to attracting UK investors, importing eco-friendly technologies and learning from the substantial experiences of the UK” In response to the Parliament Speaker, Ambassador Catherine Arnold expressed her gratitude towards the Speaker for the meeting and a wish to expand bilateral relations. Catherine Arnold continued “It is possible to broaden the scope of the educational programs, in particular, by improving the English language knowledge of public servants through consecutive trainings. We are capable of enhancing potentials of universities through co-projects and technical supports. Recently, the National University of Mongolia has started cooperating with two UK universities, which laid the groundwork of an effective relations in this area. Also, we’re working with the Asian Development Bank on renewable energy project to improve energy supplies in the western region of Mongolia. As for the railroad industry, “Pandrol” company of UK has started manufacturing railway fixtures and ties. “As UK investors are interested in Mongolia, more information and promotion about Mongolia should be available. We’re planning to organize investment-related meeting or forum by sometime this spring in Mongolia. And just a few days ago, the mining representatives from Britain attended the Oyu Tolgoi Supplier Forum and signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry of Mongolia" remarked the Ambassador.