Russian top lawmaker, Mongolian president vow to strengthen ties

Russia is willing to push forward its relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with Mongolia at different levels, a Russian top lawmaker said here Monday.

Russia and Mongolia have enjoyed traditional friendly relations, Sergei Naryshkin, speaker of the Russian State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, said during a meeting with Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.

"Enhancing and promoting the strategic relations with Mongolia is one of the top priorities of our foreign policy. We also greatly appreciate Mongolia for considering its relations with Russia as a priority of its foreign policy," Naryshkin added.

For his part, Elbegdorj said the two countries "signed many important documents to forward development of their bilateral relations" during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Mongolia last September, he said.

He expressed his belief that Naryshkin's visit will contribute to the promotion of inter-parliamentary relations between Mongolia and Russia.

On Monday, Naryshkin also held separate meetings with Zandaakhuu Enkhbold, chairman of the State Great Hural, Mongolia's parliament, and Prime Minister Chimed Saikhanbileg.

They exchanged views on ways to boost bilateral cooperation in both traditional and new fields, such as politics, economy, trade, agriculture and infrastructure construction. Endi