The Federation Council Speaker and the President of Mongolia discussed the development of Russian-Mongolian relations, including cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko had a meeting with President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. The Federation Council Speaker noted that the agenda of the Mongolian leader’s visit, which includes his meetings with President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, shows that Moscow attaches great significance to developing strategic interaction with Mongolia.
“The Political Declaration approved following the talks formalises the main guidelines for expanding bilateral relations. Overall, we can say that the Mongolian President’s visit will help elevate bilateral relations to an entirely new level, Valentina Matvienko said.
The meeting participants discussed the development of Russian-Mongolian relations, including cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments.
The Federation Council Speaker noted that Mongolia ranks among Russia’s key partners in Asia. “Neighbourly ties hinge on a long history of fruitful interaction, and we are committed to further expanding diverse cooperation with Mongolia.”
According to Valentina Matvienko, the Treaty on Friendly Relations and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which entered into force in September 2020, shows that our relations are strong and stable. An ambitious plan that included a large number of events was implemented successfully within the framework of celebrating the 100th anniversary of Russian-Mongolian diplomatic relations in 2021, she said.
The meeting participants called for invigorating trade and economic cooperation. The President of Mongolia noted the role of members of parliament in expanding ties between regions.
The Federation Council Speaker pointed out that border regions accounted for about 70 percent of bilateral trade. “The Trans-Baikal Territory, Buryatia, Altai and Tyva maintain the most active ties. Other Russian regions should also take part in this cooperation.”
During the conversation, the parties focused on interaction between members of parliament. Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh said that ties between the two countries’ parliaments are an important component of bilateral relations.
“Despite the pandemic, we were able to maintain close contacts with the State Great Khural of Mongolia. Specialised committees and friendship groups are engaged in dialogue,” Valentina Matvienko noted.
Given the special nature of Russian-Mongolian relations, the Federation Council Speaker suggested discussing the possibility of setting up a joint inter-parliamentary commission. Valentina Matvienko noted that this format of joint work had won a reputation for itself as part of parliamentary cooperation with other countries.
The Federation Council Speaker noted fruitful interaction between legislators within the framework of international parliamentary organisations, primarily the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, Asian Parliamentary Assembly, and Eurasian Women’s Forum.
The parties also discussed cooperation in the field of education.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture and Head of the Federation Council Working Group for Cooperation with the State Great Khural Iliyas Umakhanov, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy Alexander Varfolomeev, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Bair Zhamsuyev, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on House Rules and Parliamentary Governance Vyacheslav Nagovitsyn, and Member of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management Tatyana Gigel.