Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia

Dear mister President. Ladies and gentlemen. We are pleased to celebrate the 85th anniversary  of the victory on the Khalkhin Gol River together with our Mongolian friends. Let me remind you that in 1939, true to its allied duty, our country  immediately responded to the Mongolian government's request for assistance immediately  after the invasion of the Japanese militarists. We pay tribute to the memory, courage and  dedication, steadfastness and heroism of Soviet and Mongolian soldiers. Fighting shoulder to shoulder, they gave a tough and decisive rebuff to  the aggressor and defended the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Mongolia. Thanks to their feat, the security of the Far Eastern borders of the Soviet  Union was also ensured during the difficult years of the Great Patriotic War. In the bloody battles on Mongolian soil, over 10 thousand Soviet soldiers  and officers gave their lives. And I would like to express my gratitude to  Mongolian friends for their careful attitude towards the burial sites of Soviet soldiers  and, in general, for their respectful attitude towards our common historical heritage. I would like to note that it was on the battlefields in Mongolia that the military  leadership talent of the future Marshal of Victory, Georgy Konstantinovich  Zhukov, was revealed, whom everyone here remembers, knows and honors. Together with the President, we will lay flowers at the monument to  this outstanding commander in Ulaanbaatar. Last week, as you know, another monument to Zhukov  was opened in the city of Choibalsan with the assistance of the Russian Ministry of Defense. In Russia, the contribution of the Mongolian people to the fight against Nazism and  militarism is well remembered and appreciated. During the Great Patriotic War, Mongolian  citizens raised funds to build fighters for the Mongolian Arat air squadron and tanks, which,  as part of the Revolutionary Mongolia Brigade, made a glorious military journey to Berlin. Mongolia also supplied the Soviet troops with over half a million horses, which was also  a considerable amount of help at the time. Next year, the 80th anniversary of the Victory  in the Great Patriotic War will be celebrated. We invited President Khurelsukh  to come to Moscow on May 9. We are also considering the possibility  of Mongolian armed forces taking part in the ceremonial parade on Red Square  together with the Russian military. I am convinced that the brotherhood in  arms, forged in the harsh years of trials, as well as the long-standing traditions of  good neighborliness and mutual assistance will continue to serve as a solid foundation on which  friendly Russian-Mongolian relations are built. These relations are developing  dynamically and strengthening in full accordance with the Interstate Treaty  on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed here in Ulaanbaatar exactly five years ago. During today's talks, President Khurelsukh and I discussed a wide range of issues of cooperation  in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres, and we exchanged views on the most  pressing international and regional issues. As a result, as you have just seen, a number  of bilateral agreements were concluded. Much attention was paid to increasing  mutually beneficial trade and investment ties. Russia is one of Mongolia's  main foreign economic partners, and in the first seven months of this year, our  trade turnover increased by over 21 percent. Moreover, commercial transactions between our  two countries are almost entirely carried out in currencies alternative to the dollar and euro. Further growth of mutual export-import operations would undoubtedly be facilitated by  establishing close contacts between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union. Russia supported the idea of concluding a trade agreement between Mongolia  and the Eurasian Economic Union. The real flagship of Russian-Mongolian  economic cooperation is the Interstate Joint-Stock Company Ulaanbaatar Railway. For 75 years, it has been making a significant contribution to the economy of Mongolia. The long-term program for the development of the Ulaanbaatar Railway, designed for the period  up to 2030, is being implemented at full speed. The authorized capital is being increased,  the throughput capacity is being increased, and the railways are being modernized. All these measures allow increasing the volume of cargo transportation, both bilateral  and transit, between Russia and China. Our country has long and reliably  provided the economy of Mongolia with in-demand energy resources. Thus, last year, more than 90 percent of gasoline and diesel fuel  entered the Mongolian market from Russia. And we invariably respond to requests  from Mongolian friends for assistance in meeting the growing demand for fuel and  lubricants, including on preferential terms. We see good prospects for  cooperation in the gas sector. The development of design documentation  for the Soyuz-Vostok gas pipeline, almost one thousand kilometers long, which will connect  Russia, Mongolia and China, has been completed. Currently, a state examination of  this project is being carried out, and an assessment of its impact on  the environment is being carried out. This is not just about the transit  of Russian gas through Mongolia. The possibility of supplying this fuel to  Mongolian consumers is also being considered. Gazprom is ready to provide the  necessary support in practical matters of gasification of the country. Our partnership in the energy sector is not limited to the export of hydrocarbons. The Russian company Inter-RAO expects to join the modernization and reconstruction  of the Ulaanbaatar CHPP-3, help with the installation of new equipment and triple  the generating capacity of the station. This will improve the reliability of  electricity and heat supply to residents of the capital of Mongolia. Russia will continue to supply electricity to Mongolian consumers. We are also open to implementing joint projects in the field of peaceful nuclear energy based on  the most modern and safe Russian technologies, including the use of small-module reactors. The topic of humanitarian cooperation was also touched upon during the negotiations. Our countries regularly hold cross-cultural Days and Russian-Mongolian Friendship Days. Joint scientific research and expeditions are organized. Tourist exchanges have noticeably intensified recently. Athletes from Mongolia were widely represented at major international events  held in Russia, such as the BRICS Games, Children of Asia, and the multi-sport  competitions of the Games of the Future. We are expecting the Mongolian delegation at  the International Forum Russia - Sports Power, which will be held in October in the city of Ufa. Our country traditionally does a lot to prepare highly qualified personnel for the  needs of the Mongolian economy. More than 2 thousand students from  Mongolia study at Russian universities. A branch of the Plekhanov Russian University  of Economics has been successfully operating in Ulaanbaatar for 25 years. The interest of Mongolian youth in receiving a Russian education is  very high, therefore, every year Russia allocates one of the largest scholarship  quotas to Mongolia: more than 600 places. And of course, it is important for us that the  Russian language is loved and studied in Mongolia. Over many decades, the country has a  well-established system of teaching it, which opens up vast opportunities for  gaining knowledge, deepening business, scientific and cultural  ties between our countries. And the Russian side will continue to support  the teaching of the Russian language in Mongolia, including in the regions bordering our country. When considering issues of military-technical and anti-terrorist cooperation, it was noted  that Russian-Mongolian cooperation in these areas contributes to ensuring security in Asia. Discussion of the international agenda confirmed that the positions of Russia and Mongolia  on many current global issues are close. Our program of interaction continues. A meeting with the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Parliament of Mongolia  is also planned during this visit. But already now I can confidently say that joint  work with Mongolian friends and the agreements reached will contribute to the further development  of a multifaceted Russian-Mongolian partnership. And, of course, I would like to thank once again  mister Khurelsukh, all Mongolian friends for the warm and welcoming welcome. Thank you for your attention.