Foreign diplomats greeted on Tsagaan Sar

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ On February 22, heads of state and government of Mongolia hosted a ceremony in State House to greet the heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Mongolia on the occasion of the upcoming Tsagaan Sar celebration. President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj, Parliament Speaker M.Enkhbold, Prime Minister J.Erdenebat and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ts.Munkh-Orgil were present at the ceremony. President Ts.Elbegdorj greeted the diplomats on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Speaker, and said, “We are pleased to see you at this traditional ceremony after a long and cold winter”. “Mongolia’s external relations and internal affairs were full of historic events in 2016”, the President said. He then recalled important events of 2016 such as the 11th ASEM Summit which was hosted in Ulaanbaatar on July 15-16, signing of Mongolia-Russia-China Economic Corridor Program on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, Mongolia’s ratification of Paris Agreement on climate change and General Elections that took place on June 29. He then talked about 2017 which is expected to be a significant year because of the upcoming Presidential Election and an economically challenging year. “Happy Tsagaan Sar”, the President wished. On behalf of the foreign diplomatic missions in Mongolia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Mongolia Kalybek Koblandin gave remarks. He said, “I am delighted to deliver a speech on behalf of the diplomatic missions. We have gathered here to conclude the year of the Fire Monkey, and welcome that of the Fire Rooster”. Then the Ambassador briefly touched upon highlights of the last year including dzud conditions, the General Elections, Mongolia’s presence in UN Human Rights Council, the ASEM Summit, Mongolia’s active participation in UN peacekeeping missions, Mongolia’s ratification of Trade Facilitation Agreement and Ulaanbaatar dialogue - 2016. He also appreciated the expansion of foreign diplomatic missions in Mongolia with the Embassies of Australia, United Arab Emirates and Italy last year, and said, “We hope to welcome representations of Poland, Saudi Arabia and the European Union this year. The international community’s interest in Mongolia shows their belief that Mongolia has a bright future”.