Defense Minister meets Japanese Ambassador

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ On January 19, B.Bat-Erdene, Defense Minister received Masato Takaoka, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia. At the meeting, Minister B.Bat-Erdene said “As Japan is Mongolia’s main partner in Asia, Mongolia attaches great importance to the bilateral relations of Mongolia and Japan that have a long history. The two countries’ defense collaboration is intensifying and reaching for a new level after a memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Defense was signed in 2012". "The sides are developing bilateral cooperation by organizing reciprocal visits at all levels, holding consultative meetings, exchanging views on regional security issues and training army specialists. The Defense Minister believes that the Japanese Ambassador will contribute to strengthening the relations with new content and maintaining the traditional figures of bilateral cooperation in the future. In response, Masato Takaoka said “This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations established between Mongolia and Japan. During the past years, the two countries have been cooperating in the fields of politics, society, economy, culture and so on. Especially, defense sector plays main role in bilateral ties. A new Japanese military attaché will be appointed next March. I hope the Mongolia’s Ministry of Defense will support the activities of the Embassy of Japan”. In conclusion, the Japanese Ambassador underlined the necessity to develop cooperation in all possible spheres in the future.