Russian and Mongolian presidents start talks in Ulan-Bator

ULAN-BATOR, August 25 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
and his Mongolian counterpart Tsakhingiyn Elbagdorzh started talks in
Ulan-Bator.
The Mongolian president started the meeting in Russian. "Highly
esteemed Dmitry Anatolyevich, permit me to greet you and wish a pleasant
stay in our country," he said. "Thank you that you accepted the invitation
to come to us, and now I switch over to Mongolian."
In the opinion of Elbagdorzh, the visit will serve the development of
cooperation between the two countries at the level of strategic
partnership. "The relations between Russia and Mongolia are of special
nature," he claimed.
In turn, Medvedev said: "Thank you Mr President. It's a great pleasure
for me to get acquainted with you." "Thank you for the warm meeting in the
direct and indirect sense," the Russian head of state expressed gratitude,
calling attention to the good weather in Mongolia: the sun is shining
brightly in Ulan-Bator, and there is not a single cloud in the skies.
The Russian leader agreed with the words of his Mongolian colleague on
the development of cooperation between the two countries, noting that
Russia and Mongolia - close neighbours - are linked by tight mutual
relations.
The two leaders are talking in a close format. The meeting is being
held in a yurta on the fourth floor of the state palace. It was built in
1951 and reconstructed in 1987. An annex was built to the palace two years
ago, housing the presidential office, the government and the
Constitutional Court.
The yurta, the traditional living place for Mongols, was built at that
time on the fourth floor. The president receives honorary guests there.
For instance, the Mongolian head of state held meeting in the yurta with
UN Secretary-General Pan Ki-moon and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
There are two armchairs inside the yurta and a symbolic hearth. A
portrait of Genghis Khan hangs from a wall. The flags of Russia and
Mongolia stand behind the armchairs.
Following the meeting in the narrow format, the talks between the two
presidents and their delegations will be held on the first floor of the
palace.
The signing of joint documents and a press conference are planned by
the results of the talks.
-0-bur/ast