Kerry discusses ties with Mongolian officials in brief visit

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry paid a brief official visit to Mongolia on Sunday, and the two sides discussed bilateral political and economic relations.

During the visit, Kerry held separate talks with Foreign Minister Lundeg Purevsuren and President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.

Purevsuren said although political and defense relations between the two countries are developing rapidly, economic cooperation lags behind, adding that there are opportunities for the two countries to cooperate in agriculture and the renewable energy sector.

Kerry said concrete measures should be taken to improve the two countries' economic cooperation.

Purevsuren also asked the U.S. government to ease visa requirements for Mongolian citizens to visit the United States.

Meeting Kerry at his residence, Elbegdorj said he hopes the visit would further promote the cooperative relations between the two nations.

According to official statistics, last year Mongolia's exports to the United States stood just above 18 million U.S. dollars in comparison with the import volume of 154 million. Endi