SPEAKER MEETS EU AMBASSADORS

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /MONTSAME/ The Parliament Speaker has pointed out that visits of the Ambassadors of European Union's (EU) countries to Mongolia is an expression of the importance the EU attaches to the bilateral ties. It was said at meeting on Wednesday between him and the EU resident and non-resident Ambassadors to Mongolia. He underlined that the Mongolia-EU ties have been widening "because this meeting brought together over 20 Ambassadors". The Speaker expressed a satisfaction with the good relations between the State Great Khural and the European Parliament and emphasized an importance of a visit paid to Mongolia lastMay by P.Bartolozzi, the head of the European Parliament in charge of Mongolian affairs. D.Demberel noted that the State Great Khural members are expanding the cooperation with the European Parliament, “and it is vital for them to intensify this cooperation and ties in all spheres.”. He expressed hope that a partnership and cooperation memorandum, which will be established soon, will contribute to the relations. Then he spoke about a political situation in Mongolia, draft laws on election and on budget which are being discussed at parliament. “First of all, our parliament wants to continue the political stability and to stabilize the economic situation,” D.Demberel stressed. In response, the EU Ambassador to Mongolia and a leader of the delegation Mr. Markus Ederer thanked the Speaker for the audience and said that Mongolia is very important for them, so they wish Mongolia to develop intensively. Mr. Ederer said the EU also fully supports Mongolia's goal to be the "Third neighbor" of the EU. Then the Speaker spoke about the legal reform in Mongolia, a possibility of tackling the issue of abolishment of the capital punishment at parliament, introducing the European standards and norms into Mongolia. B.Khuder