State Head meets Deputy President of South Africa

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The President of Mongolia Ts.Ebegdorj Friday received Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, the Vice President of the Republic of South Africa, in the State House. Congratulating Mr Motlanthe on becoming the very first Deputy President of South Africa to visit Mongolia, the President noted that the two countries established the diplomatic relations after Mr Nelson Mandela sworn in as the President on May 10 of 1994. He mentioned about an opportunity to realize a work on opening their Embassies within the 20th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations. Mongolia and South Africa have similar ratings in terms of democracy, freedom and human rights, Mongolia sees South Africa as its bridge and reliable partner in developing relations with African countries, Mr Elbegdorj emphasized. He also said he backs Mr Motlanthe’s talks with the PM N.Altankhuyag on collaborating in the mining sector, especially in technologies of producing liquid fuel from coal. Noting that Mongolia actively participates in the UN peacekeeping operations in many states such as South Sudan, Congo, Chad and Sierra Leone, the President invited South Africa to take part in the annual "Khaan Quest" international military field exercises. The parties also discussed issues of organizing high-level visits and deepening the bilateral relations. Mr Elbegdorj conveyed a greeting to his counterpart of South Africa Jacob Zuma.