Readout of Meeting between Mongolia President Tsakhia Elbegdorj and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- From the Office of the President of Mongolia: This morning, President Tsakhia Elbegdorj received U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Government House in Ulaanbaatar.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120709/PH36943 )

During their productive forty-minute meeting prior to Secretary Clinton's prepared remarks to an international conference, President Elbegdorj stressed his belief that mutually beneficial economic opportunities will play a significant role in continuing to elevate the relationship between the United States and Mongolia. He also stressed the importance of such bilateral partnerships to deepen democratic roots in the region.

During the meeting, President Elbegdorj stated to Secretary Clinton:

"Our economy has been rapidly growing.  This growth creates wonderful opportunities for us to further consolidate democracy, ensure human rights, invest in infrastructure and other sectors and expand our international relations.

"We are working to ensure that the revenues from mining are shared by each and every citizen in Mongolia. To establish justice, we are fighting against corruption and reforming our judiciary. Because our country is open and our people free, we are confident that we will succeed in overcoming the challenges and further strengthen democracy."

The President expressed his interest in advancing discussions on a bilateral transparency agreement, and commended Secretary Clinton for her extraordinary work to elevate the role of women in Mongolia and around the world. 

Secretary Clinton – who was in Mongolia to participate in the International Forum on Women's Issues – was joined by Jonathan Addleton, U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia; Kurt Campbell, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and Daniel Russell, Senior Director for Asia of the U.S. National Security Council.

President Elbegdorj was accompanied in the meeting by Mr. G. Zandanshatar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; X. Bekhbat, Mongolia's Ambassador to the United States; Ms. M. Batchimeg, Member of Parliament and National Security Policy Advisor to the President; Mr. P. Tsagaan, Legal Policy Advisor to the President; Mr. G. Purevsuren, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President; and Mr. S. Badral, Ambassador-at-Large to the Community of Democracies.

Secretary Clinton shared with President Elbegdorj the U.S. Government's appreciation for the manner in which Mongolia's recent Parliamentary elections reflected a commitment to transparent and democratic processes, and to the rule of law.  Secretary Clinton additionally noted that United States looks forward to continued progress in Mongolia on human rights, anti-corruption efforts and transparency.

Secretary Clinton stated to President Elbegdorj:

"It is a goal of democratic countries to ensure human rights and freedom, enforce laws and ensure transparency. I value Mongolia's steps toward successfully implementing these goals.

"I believe in Mongolia's bright future. I found this belief 17 years ago when I first visited Mongolia. Your country is enjoying success within a short period of time because your people have always aspired to freedom and justice, and because your people are strong. I wish to reiterate our readiness to help you in your efforts to strengthen democracy."

President Elbegdorj and Secretary Clinton agreed that the women play an important role in strengthening democracy, ensuring transparency and establishing justice. 

At the conclusion of her remarks to the International Women's Leadership Forum, Secretary Clinton said:

"There could not be a better place, Mr. President, to talk about the necessity of our working together to ensure that more nations in Asia look like Mongolia, provide opportunities to their people as you are working to do here, hold up women and their rights and opportunities as part of the national treasure of their country. So yes, let them come to Mongolia. They will not be disappointed."

SOURCE The Office of the President of Mongolia