STATE HEAD VISITS IDEA HEADQUARTERS

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /MONTSAME/ On Wednesday, the President Ts.Elbegdorj and accompanying him delegation visited the Headquarters of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). Its secretary-general Mr Vidar Helgesen gave a report to the State Head about their activities and collaboration with Mongolia. He noted the IDEA established a memorandum with the Office of Mongolia's President to collaborate in conducting a monitoring over the Mongolian democracy. Before, the IDEA had given a proposal to a draft law on election of Mongolia and worked another proposal for a bill on financing of political parties. Saying the IDEA has been focusing on a sustainable development of democracy in many countriest, the President appreciated the IDEA's sharing of the democratic experiences and helping countries to run fair elections in 1990s. He said Mongolia will always support the Institute's initiatives and projects on establishing justice, improving capacity of institutions, ensuring human rights. As a member of the IDEA, Mongolia wants to have its citizens work at the IDEA's administrative board and office, he added. In response, Mr Helgesen congratulated Mongolia on gaining big success and experiences in democracy and on ensuring human rights and justice, and appreciated Mongolia's organizing its parliamentary election with electronic devices, which becane a good example for other countries. He also said Mongolia gained a high rank at ensuring civil participation thanks to founding the Civil Hall at the President. After the meeting, Ts.Elbegdorj gave at the IDEA's hall a lecture themed "Mongolian democracy, its challenge, difficulties and experience; common values of humankind". Here, he emphasized present economic situation in Mongolia, environment and eco-policy issues. B.Khuder