By Kh.KHALIUN
The third annual Consultative Meeting of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and Switzerland was held in Bern, Switzerland on March 24.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs D.Gankhuyag led Mongolian representatives and Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant State Secretary for Asia Pacific, Beat Nobs, led Swiss representatives.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged their opinions about current processes and the future of relations and cooperation between Mongolia and Switzerland. They also spoke about regional and multilateral issues.
The sides highlighted the successful development of cooperation in the politics, art, humanities and development sectors, while discussing the events and activities for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Switzerland. During the anniversary, both sides will organize various events of culture, exhibition and business meetings.
They discussed obtainable steps to develop economic cooperation and trade. In particular, Mongolia emphasized the importance of cooperation in developing trade and economic relations by searching for opportunities to work together, and proposed the establishment of a Mongolia-Switzerland Commission on Economic Cooperation.
The sides expressed their satisfaction with the implementation and results of programs carried out in Mongolia by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation is aiming to reduce centralization, improve the educational system and professional education in rural area, develop agriculture, and provide food security in coming years.
Mongolia congratulated Switzerland for assuming leadership of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) this year and expressed its hope to expand and develop cooperation with the OSCE. Both sides agreed to mutually support each other within the UN and other international organizations.