PRESIDENT MEETS DEFENSE MINISTER OF JAPAN

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /MONTSAME/ The Defense Minister of Japan Yasuo Ichikawa said he is "satisfied with becoming the first guest from Japan to Mongolia on occasion of the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations". Mr. Ichikawa, who is visiting Mongolia these days, said it at a meeting with Mongolia's President Ts.Elbegdorj on Wednesday. On behalf of the Japanese people he thanked Mongolians for helping Japan with assistance in times of the natural disasters. The Defense Minister mentioned about a joint statement on a strategic partnership, signed during a visit of the Mongolian President to Japan in 2010, and noted that the Defense Ministries of the two countries have established a cooperation memorandum. He said these documents open big opportunities for the sides to enhance the cooperation in all sectors. In response, the President said he is satisfied with the visit of the Defense Minister and emphasized an importance of the diplomatic relations' anniversary. He also highly spoke he present level of the relations and cooperation. The dignitaries shared views on the collaboration in the defense sector, raising issues of cooperating in transforming the Mongolian "Tavantolgoi" exercise center into the international peacekeeping center, training the Mongolian officers in Japan's school and academy and through the UN peacekeeping operations. Then the sides talked about international and regional issues of mutual interest.