RI, Mongolia to upgrade ties

RI, Mongolia to upgrade ties

MONGOLIA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her Mongolian
counterpart Natsagiyn Bagabandi agreed on Saturday to upgrade
bilateral ties by establishing an embassy in each other's
country.

Although bilateral relations date back to 1956, neither
country has an embassy in the other. The Indonesian Embassy in
Russia serves Mongolia, while the Mongolian Embassy in Malaysia
covers Indonesia.

Megawati said during the meeting on Saturday that Indonesia's
intention to open an embassy in Mongolia had been proposed to the
country's Prime Minister Nambar Engkhbayar during his visit to
Jakarta in October last year.

Indonesia, said Megawati, was eager to step up diplomatic
relations with Mongolia.

"There are many things that the two countries need to improve
on as soon as possible," Megawati said, without elaborating.

Meanwhile, Mongolian President Natsagiyn said he believed that
Megawati's visit to his country would open a new chapter in the
two countries' bilateral ties.

A memorandum of understanding on a joint commission for the
two countries' bilateral cooperation was signed after the
meeting. -- Antara